Non-steroidal IL-5 inhibitors, processes and intermediates for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to IL-5 inhibiting 6-azauracil derivatives useful for treating eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases, to processes and intermediates for their preparation as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said derivatives. It further relates to the use of such derivatives as a medicine, and to processes for marking a receptor or imaging an organ using the said derivatives.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/049,038, filed Feb. 5, 2002, abandoned, which is a 371 of PCT/EP00/107358, filed Jul. 31, 2000, which application claims priority from EP 99870170.0, filed Aug. 6, 1999, and EP 99126035.7, filed Dec. 27, 1999.

The present invention relates to IL-5 inhibiting 6-azauracil derivatives useful for treating eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases, to processes and intermediates for their preparation as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said derivatives. It further relates to the use of such derivatives as a medicine, and to processes for marking a receptor or imaging an organ using the said derivatives.

Eosinophil influx, leading to subsequent tissue damage, is an important pathogenic event in bronchial asthma and allergic diseases. The cytokine interleukin-5 (IL-5), produced mainly by T lymphocytes as a glycoprotein, induces the differentiation of eosinophils in bone marrow and, primes eosinophils for activation in peripheral blood and sustains their survival in tissues. As such, IL-5 plays a critical role in the process of eosinophilic inflammation. Hence, the possibility that inhibitors of IL-5 production would reduce the production, activation and/or survival of eosinophils provides a therapeutic approach to the treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic diseases such as, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and also other eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases.

Steroids, which strongly inhibit IL-5 production in vitro, have long been used as the only drugs with remarkable efficacy for bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis, but they cause various serious adverse reactions such as diabetes, hypertension and cataracts. Therefore, it would be desirable to find non-steroidal compounds having the ability to inhibit IL-5 production in human T-cells and which have little or no adverse reactions.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,278 discloses α-aryl-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl)-benzene-acetonitriles and U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,760 discloses 2-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)-diones, all having anti-protozoal activity, in particular, anti-coccidial activity. EP 831,088 discloses 1,2,4-triazine-3,5-diones as anticoccidial agents. WO99/02505 discloses 6-azauracil derivatives which prove to be potent inhibitors of the production of IL-5.

The present invention first relates to compounds having the formula:

the N-oxides, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein: p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may represent cyano; Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; each R independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—Z·R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; R² represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or Het¹thiocarbonyl; R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, piperidinylsulfonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl, aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinyl-aminosulfonyl, N—C₁₋₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl, Y—R¹⁴, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, Het⁶sulfonyl or C₃₋₇ cycloalkylsulfonyl; each R⁷ and each R³ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-thiocarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het³thiocarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁷ and R⁸ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, Het³thiocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹¹ independently being selected from hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸, C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴—Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, H Het⁴, C(═O)Het³, C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl optionally be substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, halo and phenyl; R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁶; or R¹² and R¹³ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹⁴ independently represents hydrogen; C₁₋₂₀acyl or C₁₋₂₀alkylC₁₋₂₀acyl (having a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, mercapto, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, aryl, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano and Het⁵; C₁₋₂₀alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, halo, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, mercaptoC₁₋₄alkyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, aryl, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano, Het⁵, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄ alkyloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄alkylthio, Het⁵C₁₋₄alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₄alkylthio, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl and Het⁵C₁₋₄alkylthio; C₃₋₂₀alkenyl optionally substituted with phenyl; C₃₋₂₀alkynyl; C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, mercapto, halo, mercaptoC₁₋₄alkyl and hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl; Het⁵ or phenyl or R¹⁴ represents a radical having any of the following formulae:

wherein m is 1 to 4, n is 0 to 5, q is 0 to 2, r is 0 to 2 and s is 0 to 4; R^(b) is selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl and C₁₋₄ alkyl-Y—C₁₋₄alkyl; R^(a), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl and C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, or R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; R_(g), R_(h) and R_(k) are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R_(i) is selected from hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl and C₁₋₄alkyl, or two R_(i) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— (thus building a spiro radical); R_(j) is selected from —O—R_(b); C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; phenyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; R_(m) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyloxy; R_(n) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenylC₁₋₄alkyl; and W represents O or S; each Z independently represents O, S, NH, —CH₂—O— or —CH₂—S— whereby —CH₂— is attached to the carbonyl group; or —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula

R¹⁵ and R¹⁵ are each independently selected from hydrogen; C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, aryl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) amino and pyridinyl; C₁₋₄alkyloxy; aryl; —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴; arylcarbonyl; arylthiocarbonyl; arylaminocarbonyl; arylaminothiocarbonyl; aminocarbonylmethylene; mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) aminocarbonylmethylene; Het³aminocarbonyl; Het³aminothio-carbonyl; pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl; Het³ and R⁶; or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R¹⁷ and R¹³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, aryl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) amino, C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and pyridinyl; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl; aryl; C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl; arylcarbonyl; arylthiocarbonyl; arylaminocarbonyl; arylaminothiocarbonyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; C₁₋₄alkane-diyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl; —C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl; —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl and R⁶; aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from nitro, azido, cyano, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, formyl, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶, —O—R⁶, phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or NR⁹R¹⁰; Het¹ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus, or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle (such as for instance a fused benzoheterocycle); non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or, where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het² and R¹¹; Het² represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus, or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle (such as for instance a fused benzoheterocycle); non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het⁴, R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or, where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het⁴ and R¹¹; Het³ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus; non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxolanyl and tetrahydropyranyl; wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and NR¹²R¹³; Het⁴ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus; non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl; Het⁵ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus, or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle (such as for instance a fused benzoheterocycle); non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each independently may be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, carbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶, sulfonamido and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkylthio, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₁₆alkyl, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶ and NR¹⁷R¹⁸; Het⁶ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus; non-limiting examples of such heterocycles include for instance pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, azaridinyl, pyrazolinyl and pyrolinyl, wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from Het² and R¹¹, provided however that

-   -   R² is other than C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or         aminocarbonyl; and     -   R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,         hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl,         C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or         —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and     -   R¹² and R¹³ are other than         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl         or C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcarbonyl; and     -   R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁹,         C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and     -   aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹,         C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with         C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl         —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and     -   Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with         C(═O)·O—R¹⁹ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹         and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl C(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and     -   in each of the above proviso's R¹⁹ is defined as hydrogen,         C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonylmethylene; and         wherein the said compound having the formula (1) contains at         least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.

As used in the foregoing definitions and hereinafter:

-   -   the term “halo” is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo;     -   the term “C₃₋₇cycloalkyl” is generic to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,         cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl;     -   the term “C₁₋₄alkyl” defines straight and branched chain         saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms         such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,         1-methylethyl, 2-methylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylethyl and the like;     -   the term “C₁₋₆alkyl” is meant to include C₁₋₄alkyl and the         higher homologues thereof having 5 or 6 carbon atoms such as,         for example, pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl and         the like;     -   the term “C₁₋₂₀alkyl” is meant to include C₁₋₆alkyl and the         higher homologues thereof having 7 to 20 carbon atoms such as,         for example, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl,         tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl         and the like;     -   the term “C₅₋₂₀alkyl” is meant to include C₁₋₂₀alkyl except for         C₁₋₄alkyl;     -   the term “C₃₋₂₀alkenyl” defines straight and branched chain         hydrocarbon radicals containing one double bond and having from         3 to 20 carbon atoms such as, for example, 2-propenyl,         3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl,         3-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-hexenyl and the like, the carbon atom of         the said C₃₋₂₀alkenyl connected to the remainder of the molecule         being preferably saturated;     -   the term “C₃₋₂₀alkynyl” defines straight and branched chain         hydrocarbon radicals containing one triple bond and having from         3 to 20 carbon atoms such as, for example, 2-propynyl,         3-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl,         3-methyl-2-butynyl, 3-hexynyl and the like, the carbon atom of         the said C₃₋₂₀alkynyl connected to the remainder of the molecule         being preferably saturated;     -   the term “polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl” is defined as polyhalosubstituted         C₁₋₄alkyl, in particular C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with 1 to 6         halogen atoms, more particularly difluoro- or trifluoromethyl;     -   the term “polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl” is defined as polyhalosubstituted         C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   the term “polyhaloC₁₋₂₀alkyl” is defined as polyhalosubstituted         C₁₋₂₀alkyl;     -   the term “C₁₋₄alkanediyl” defines bivalent straight or branch         chained alkanediyl radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such         as, for example, methylene, 1,2-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanediyl,         1,4-butanediyl and the like;     -   the term “C₂₋₆alkanediyl” defines bivalent straight or branch         chained alkanediyl radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms such         as, for example, 1,2-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanediyl,         1,4-butanediyl, 1,5-pentanediyl, 1,6-hexanediyl and the like.

Het¹, Het², Het³, Het⁴ and Het⁵ are meant to include all possible isomeric forms of the heterocycles mentioned in the above definitions, for instance pyrrolyl also includes 2H-pyrrolyl; triazolyl includes 1,2,4-triazolyl and 1,3,4-triazolyl; oxadiazolyl includes 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl and 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl; thiadiazolyl includes 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl and 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl; pyranyl includes 2H-pyranyl and 4H-pyranyl.

The heterocycles represented by Het¹, Het², Het³, Het⁴ and Het⁵ may be attached to the remainder of the molecule of formula (I) through any ring carbon or heteroatom as appropriate. Thus, for example, when the heterocycle is imidazolyl, it may be a 1-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl and 5-imidazolyl; when it is thiazolyl, it may be 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl and 5-thiazolyl; when it is triazolyl, it may be 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-5-yl, 1,3,4-triazol-1-yl and 1,3,4-triazol-2-yl; when it is benzothiazolyl, it may be 2-benzothiazolyl, 4-benzothiazolyl, 5-benzothiazolyl, 6-benzothiazolyl and 7-benzothiazolyl.

The C₁₋₂₀acyl is derived from:

acetic acid CH₃COOH tridecanoic acid C₁₂H₂₅COOH propionic acid C₂H₅COOH myristic acid C₁₃H₂₇COOH butyric acid C₃H₇COOH pentadecanoic acid C₁₄H₂₉COOH valeric acid C₄H₉COOH palmitic acid C₁₅H₃₁COOH hexanoic acid C₅H₁₁COOH heptadecanoic acid C₁₆H₃₃COOH heptanoic acid C₆H₁₃COOH stearic acid C₁₇H₃₅COOH octanoic acid C₇H₁₅COOH oleic acid C₁₇H₃₃COOH nonanoic acid C₈H₁₇COOH linolic acid C₁₇H₃₁COOH decanoic acid C₉H₁₉COOH linolenic acid C₁₇H₂₉COOH undecanoic acid C₁₀H₂₁COOH nonadecanoic acid C₁₈H₃₇COOH lauric acid C₁₁H₂₃COOH icosanoic acid C₁₉H₃₉COOH

The pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts as mentioned hereinabove are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salt forms which the compounds having the formula (I) are able to form. The latter can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriate acids as inorganic acids, for example, hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric, hydrobromic and the like; sulfuric acid; nitric acid; phosphoric acid and the like; or organic acids, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, 2-hydroxypropanoic, 2-oxopropanoic, ethanedioic, propanedioic, butanedioic, 2-butenedioic, 2-butenedioic, 2-hydroxybutanedioic, 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic, 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, 4-methylbenzenesulfonic, cyclohexanesulfamic, 2-hydroxybenzoic, 4-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic and the like. Conversely the salt form can be converted by treatment with alkali into the free base form.

Compounds having the formula (I) which contain acidic protons may be converted into their therapeutically active non-toxic metal or amine addition salt forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, hydrabamine salts, and salts with naturally occurring amino-acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like. Conversely the salt form can be converted by treatment with an acid into the free acid form. The term addition salt also comprises the hydrates and solvent addition forms of such salts which the compounds having the formula (I) are able to form. Examples of such forms are e.g. hydrates, alcoholates and the like.

The N-oxide forms of the present compounds are meant to comprise compounds having the formula (I), wherein one or several nitrogen atoms are oxidized to the so-called N-oxide. For example, one or more nitrogen atoms of any of the heterocycles in the definition of Het¹, Het², Het³, Het⁴ and Het⁵ may be N-oxidized.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) may also exist in their tautomeric forms. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formula are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. For example, a hydroxy substituted triazine moiety may also exist as the corresponding triazinone moiety; a hydroxy substituted pyrimidine moiety may also exist as the corresponding pyrimidinone moiety.

The term “stereochemically isomeric forms” as used hereinbefore defines all the possible stereoisomeric forms in which the compounds of formula (I) can exist. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure. More in particular, stereogenic centers may have the R- or S-configuration, used herein in accordance with Chemical Abstracts nomenclature. Stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) certainly are intended to be embraced within the scope of this invention.

The compounds of formula (I) and some of the intermediates in the present invention contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms. The pure and mixed stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) are also intended to be embraced within the scope of the present invention. Whenever used hereinafter, the term “compounds of formula (I)” is meant to also include their N-oxide forms, their pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, and their stereochemically isomeric forms.

An interesting group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein the 6-azauracil moiety is connected to the phenyl ring in the para or meta position relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents; preferably in the para position. Another interesting group contains those compounds of formula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   -   p is 0, 1 or 2;     -   X is S, NR⁵ or a direct bond; more preferably a direct bond;     -   each R¹ independently is halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy or aryl, preferably, chloro or trifluoromethyl,         more preferably chloro;     -   the at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety contained by the compound         of formula (I) is born by R.     -   R is Het¹ or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents         selected from hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy,         C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl,         aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S         or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or         Het¹thiocarbonyl; more preferably R² is Het¹     -   R³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or cyclohexyl, more         preferably methyl;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl, more preferably methyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a 1,4-butanediyl;     -   R⁶ is C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or Het⁶sulfonyl, more         preferably Het⁶sulfonyl;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or         R⁶;     -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently hydrogen,         C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,         Het³carbonyl, Het³ or R⁶;     -   R¹¹ is cyano, nitro, halo, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl, NR⁷R⁸,         C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, arylcarbonyl, Het³ or         C(═O)Het³; more preferably R¹¹ is phenyl, —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴,         —C(═O)—S—R¹⁴ or —C(═O)—NH—R¹⁴.     -   each R¹¹ independently being selected from hydroxy, mercapto,         cyano, nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl,         trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R³, C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy,         arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkylthio optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³, C(═O)Het³,         C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl optionally be substituted with one or more         substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, halo         and phenyl;     -   R¹⁴ is dihydrofuranyl, C₅₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₂₀alkenyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, Het⁵, a radical of formula (a) or C₁₋₂₀alkyl         substituted with one or more substituents selected from phenyl,         C₁₋₄alkylamino, cyano, Het¹, Het⁵, hydroxy and C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         more preferably a radical of formula (a) in which R^(j) is         C₁₋₆alkyl and s is 2, or C₁₋₂₀alkyl substituted with hydroxy or         Het⁵;     -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently hydrogen or phenyl;     -   aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three         substituents each independently selected from nitro, cyano,         halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, —O—R⁶,         phenyl, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more         substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ and NR⁹R¹⁰;     -   Het¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl,         imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,         pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular imidazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl, wherein said         monocyclic heterocycles each independently may optionally be         substituted with one, or where possible, two or three         substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and         C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; more         preferably Het¹ is imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl or         pyridinyl, especially thiazolyl, each independently and         optionally substituted with one, or where possible, two or three         substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and         C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹, more         preferably two substituents each independently selected from R¹¹         and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with R¹¹;     -   Het² is an aromatic heterocycle; more in particular furanyl,         thienyl, pyridinyl or benzothienyl, wherein said aromatic         heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted         with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each         independently selected from R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl;     -   Het³ is piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl or         tetrahydropyranyl each independently and optionally substituted         with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each         independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with         one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy and phenyl;     -   Het⁴ is thienyl;     -   Het⁵ is piperidinyl or piperazinyl optionally substituted with         C₁₋₄alkyl, sulfonamido or R⁶, more preferably R⁶;     -   Het⁶ is pyrrrolidinyl.

Particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein p is 2 and both R¹ substituents are chloro; more preferably the two chloro substituents are in the ortho positions relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.

Other particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein the 6-azauracil moiety is in the para position relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is 2 whereby both R¹ substituents are chloro positioned ortho relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.

Other particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein X is a direct bond and R² is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl, wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; more in particular R² is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or oxadiazolyl.

Preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl and —X—R² is Het¹ wherein Het¹ suitably is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or oxadiazolyl.

More preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl, —X—R² is optionally substituted 2-thiazolyl or 3-oxadiazolyl, the 6-azauracil moiety is in the para position relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is 2 whereby both R¹ substituents are chloro positioned ortho relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents. Particularly preferred such compounds are those in which —X—R² is di-substituted with phenyl and either (i) R¹¹ where R¹¹ is a group of formula —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ in which Z is 0 and R¹⁴ is C₁₋₂₀alkyl substituted with hydroxy or with Het⁵ especially where Het⁵ is piperazinyl substituted with Het⁶sulfonyl, especially where Het⁶ is pyrrolidinyl, or R¹⁴ is a radical of formula (a) in which R^(j) is C₁₋₆alkyl and s is 2, or (ii) C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with R¹¹ where R¹¹ is a a group of formula —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ in which Z is 0 and R¹⁴ is a radical of formula (a) in which R^(j) is C₁₋₆alkyl and s is 2.

Particularly preferred compounds are those of formulae (A), (B), (C) and (D) below:

Examples of compounds of formula (I) further includes compounds of formula (I′) in which p, X, Y, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, n, m, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R_(g), R_(h), R¹⁵, R¹⁶, Z, aryl, 'Het¹, Het², Het³, Het⁴ as used in relation to compounds of formula (1′) have the meanings below: The present invention is concerned with the compounds of formula

the N-oxides, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein

-   p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may     represent cyano; -   Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; -   each R¹independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio,     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or     C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—Z·R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; -   R² represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two     substituents selected from C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono-     or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally     substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy     and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent     aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or     Het¹thiocarbonyl; -   R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; -   R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or -   R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; -   R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; -   each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,     mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or     di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl,     C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl,     aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinylaminosulfonyl,     N—C₁₋₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl or mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl; -   each R⁷ and each R⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl,     arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ and R⁶; -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl,     hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl,     Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ and R⁶; -   each R¹¹ independently being selected from hydroxy, mercapto, cyano,     nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸,     C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl,     aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³, Het⁴ and C(═O)Het³; -   R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl,     phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,     pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁵; -   each R¹⁴ independently represents C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one or     more substituents selected from phenyl, di-C₁₋₄alkylamino, cyano,     Het¹ and C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, hydrogen, C₁₋₂₀acyl (having a straight or     branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20     carbon atoms), C₁₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₂₀alkyl or a     radical of formula -    wherein n is 0 to 5; -    R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently     hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or -    R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or     —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; or a radical of formula -    wherein m is 1 to 4 -    R_(g) and R_(h) are each independently C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   each Z independently represents O, S, NH, —CH₂—O— or —CH₂—S— whereby     —CH₂— is attached to the carbonyl group; -   —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl,     aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     arylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or R⁶; -   aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonyl     methylene; -   aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three     substituents each independently selected from nitro, azido, cyano,     halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶, —O—R⁶,     phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more     substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or     NR⁹R¹⁰; -   Het¹ represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,     imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl,     tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl,     dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,     thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxanyl,     dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl,     benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl,     indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl,     1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl,     isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl,     thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl;     wherein said heterocycles each independently may optionally be     substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents     each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally     substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from     Het² and R¹¹; -   Het² represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,     imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl,     tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl,     dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,     thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl,     trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl,     isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,     indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl,     quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl,     quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and     imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each     independently may optionally be substituted with one, or where     possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from     R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two     substituents independently selected from R¹¹; -   Het³ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl and     tetrahydropyranyl; wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each     independently may optionally be substituted with, where possible,     one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected     from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with     one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶     and NR¹²R¹³; -   Het⁴ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl,     imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl,     oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,     oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl     and triazinyl provided however that     -   R² is other than C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl;         and     -   R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl C(═O)—O—R¹⁴,         C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁴ and —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and     -   R¹² and R¹³ are other than         C-₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcabonyl; and     -   R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁴,         C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and     -   R¹⁴ is other than hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         aminocarbonylmethylene, mono- or di (C₁₋₄alkyl)         aminocarbonylmethylene in the event Z is 0; and     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and     -   Aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴ C(═O)NH₂,         C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl         substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴;         and     -   Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with         C(═O)·O—R¹⁴ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴         and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl (═O)—O—R¹⁴; and     -   The said compound of formula (I) contains at least one         —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.         An interesting group of compounds are those compounds of formula         (I′) wherein the 6-azauracil moiety is connected to the phenyl         ring in the para or meta position relative to the carbon atom         bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents; preferably in the         para position.         Further compounds according to the invention include compounds         of formula (I′) wherein one or more of the following         restrictions apply:     -   p is 0, 1 or 2;     -   X is S, NR⁵, or a direct bond; more in particular NH or a direct         bond;     -   each R¹ independently is halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy or aryl, preferably, chloro or trifluoromethyl,         more preferably chloro;     -   R is Het¹ or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents         selected from hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy,         C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl,         aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S         or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or         Het¹thiocarbonyl; particularly R² is Het¹ or in the event X is         NH, R² may also be aminothiocarbonyl or Het¹carbonyl;     -   R³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or cyclohexyl; preferably,         methyl;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl; preferably, methyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a 1,4-butanediyl;     -   R⁶ is C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or         R⁶;     -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently hydrogen,         C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,         Het³carbonyl, Het³ or R⁶;     -   R¹¹ is cyano, nitro halo, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl, NR⁷R⁸,         C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, arylcarbonyl, Het³, Het⁴ and         C(═O)Het³;     -   R¹⁴ isdihydrofuranyl, C₅₋₂₀alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one         or more substituents selected from phenyl, C₁₋₄alkylamino,         cyano, Het¹ and C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;     -   aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three         substituents each independently selected from nitro, cyano,         halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, —O—R⁶,         phenyl, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more         substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or NR⁹R¹⁰;     -   Het¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl,         imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,         pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular imidazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl, wherein said         monocyclic heterocycles each independently may optionally be         substituted with one, or where possible, two or three         substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and         C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; preferably         Het¹ is imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl or pyridinyl each         independently and optionally substituted with one, or where         possible, two or three substituents each independently selected         from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or         R¹¹;     -   Het² is an aromatic heterocycle; more in particular furanyl,         thienyl, pyridinyl or benzothienyl, wherein said aromatic         heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted         with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each         independently selected from R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl;     -   Het³ is piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl and         tetrahydropyranyl each independently and optionally substituted         with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each         independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with         one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy and phenyl;     -   Het⁴ is thienyl.         Special compounds are those compounds of formula (I′) wherein p         is 2 and both R¹ substituents are chloro; more preferably the         two chloro substituents are in the ortho positions relative to         the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.         Particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I′) wherein         the 6-azauracil moiety is in the para position relative to the         carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is         2 whereby both R¹ substituents are chloro positioned ortho         relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴         substituents.         Other particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I′)         wherein X is a direct bond and R² is a monocyclic heterocycle         selected from pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular         imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl,         wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each independently may         optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or         three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹         and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; more in         particular R² is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or         oxadiazolyl.         Preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I′) wherein         R³ and R⁴ are both methyl and —X—R² is Het¹ wherein Het¹         suitably is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or         oxadiazolyl.         More preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I′)         wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl, —X—R² is optionally         substituted 2-thiazolyl or 3-oxadiazolyl, the 6-azauracil moiety         is in the para position relative to the carbon atom bearing the         —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is 2 whereby both R¹         substituents are chloro positioned ortho relative to the carbon         atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.         Examples of compounds of formula (I) further includes compounds         of formula (I in which p, X, Y R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸,         R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, m, n, q, r, s R^(a), R^(b), R^(c),         R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R_(g), R_(h), R_(k), R_(i), R_(j), R_(m),         R_(n), R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, Z, aryl, 'Het¹, Het², Het³, Het⁴,         Het⁵ as used in relation to compounds of formula (I″) have the         meanings below:         The present invention is concerned with the compounds of formula         the N-oxides, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and         the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein: -   p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may     represent cyano; -   Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; -   each R¹ independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio,     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or     C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—Z·R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; -   R represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two     substituents selected from C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono-     or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally     substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy     and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent     aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or     Het¹thiocarbonyl; -   R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; -   R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or -   R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; -   R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; -   each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,     piperidinylsulfonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or     di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl,     C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl,     aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinylaminosulfonyl,     N—C-₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl or mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl; -   each R⁷ and each R⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl,     arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁷ and R⁸ taken     together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a     radical of formula -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl,     hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl,     Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl,     C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁹ and R¹⁰     taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached     form a radical of formula -   each R¹¹ independently being selected from hydroxy, mercapto, cyano,     nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸,     C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴—Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl,     aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with     C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³ and C(═O)Het³; -   R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl,     phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,     pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁶; or R¹² and R¹³ taken together     with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of     formula -   each R¹⁴ independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₂₀acyl (having a     straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain     having 1 to 20 carbon atoms), C₁₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₂₀alkenyl optionally     substituted with phenyl, C₃₋₂₀alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₂₀alkyl, Het⁵, phenyl or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl substituted with one     or more substituents selected from hydroxy, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, phenyl, mono-     or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano, Het⁵, C₁₋₄ alkyloxycarbonyl, phenyl     C₁₋₄ alkyloxycarbonyl and C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, or R¹⁴ represents a     radical of formula -    wherein m is 1 to 4, n is 0 to 5, q is 0 to 2, r is 0 to 2 and s is     0 to 4; -    R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently     hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or -    R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or     —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; -    R_(g), R_(h) and R_(k) are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄     alkyl -    R_(i) is C₁₋₄alkyl; -    R_(j) is —O—R_(b), C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally     substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyloxy; -    where R_(m) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and R_(n) is hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenylC₁₋₄alkyl each Z independently     represents O, S, NH, —CH₂—O— or —CH₂—S— whereby —CH₂— is attached to     the carbonyl group; or -    —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl,     arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl,     mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl,     arylaminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylmethylene, mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl) aminocarbonylmethylene, Het³aminocarbonyl,     Het³aminothiocarbonyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or R⁶; or R¹⁵ and     R¹⁶ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached     form a radical of formula -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently selected from hydrogen,     C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl,     phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,     phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,     pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl,     —C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl and R⁶; -   aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three     substituents each independently selected from nitro, azido, cyano,     halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ R⁶, —O—R⁶,     phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more     substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or     NR⁹R¹⁰; -   Het¹ represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,     imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl,     tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl,     dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,     thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxanyl,     dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl,     benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl,     benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl,     1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl,     isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl,     thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl;     wherein said heterocycles each independently may optionally be     substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents     each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally     substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from     Het² and R¹¹; -   Het² represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,     imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl,     tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl,     dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,     thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl,     trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl,     isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,     indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl,     quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl,     quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and     imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each     independently may optionally be substituted with one, or where     possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from     Het⁴, R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two     substituents independently selected from Het⁴ and R¹¹; -   Het³ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl and     tetrahydropyranyl; wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each     independently may optionally be substituted with, where possible,     one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected     from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl,     piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with     one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶     and NR¹²R¹³; -   Het⁴ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl,     imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl,     oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,     oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl     and triazinyl; -   Het⁵ represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,     imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl,     tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl,     dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,     thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl,     tetrahydropyranyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl,     benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl,     benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,     indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl,     quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl,     quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and     imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycles each     independently may be substituted with, where possible, one, two,     three or four substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸,     C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶, sulfonamido and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with     one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,     C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl,     —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶ and NR¹⁷R¹⁸; provided     however that     -   R² is other than C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or         aminocarbonyl; and         -   R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl,             C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy             C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl,             C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or             —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and     -   R¹² and R¹³ are other than         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcarbonyl; and     -   R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁹,         C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and     -   aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹,         C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with         C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl         —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and     -   Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with         C(═O)·O—R¹⁹ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹         and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl (═O)—O—R¹⁹; and     -   in each of the above proviso's R¹⁹ is defined as hydrogen,         C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonylmethylene; and     -    the said compound of formula (I) contains at least one         —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.         An interesting group of compounds are those compounds of formula         (I″) wherein the 6-azauracil moiety is connected to the phenyl         ring in the para or meta position relative to the carbon atom         bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents; preferably in the         para position. Another interesting group contains those         compounds of formula (I″) wherein one or more of the following         restrictions apply:     -   p is 0, 1 or 2;     -   X is S, NR⁵ or a direct bond; more preferably a direct bond;     -   each R¹ independently is halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy or aryl, preferably, chloro or trifluoromethyl,         more preferably chloro;     -   the at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety contained by the compound         of formula (I″) is born by R²,     -   R² is Het¹ or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents         selected from hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally         substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy,         C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl,         aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S         or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴,         arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or         Het¹thiocarbonyl; more preferably R² is Het¹;     -   R³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or cyclohexyl, more         preferably methyl;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl, more preferably methyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a 1,4-butanediyl;     -   R⁶ is C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or         R⁶;     -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently hydrogen,         C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,         Het³carbonyl, Het³ or R⁶;     -   R¹¹ is cyano, nitro, halo, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl, NR⁷R³,         C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, arylcarbonyl, Het³ or         C(═O)Het³; more preferably R¹¹ is phenyl, —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴,         —C(═O)—S—R¹⁴ or —C(═O)—NH—R¹⁴,     -   R¹⁴ is dihydrofuranyl, C₅₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₂₀alkenyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, Het⁵ or C₁₋₂₀alkyl substituted with one or         more substituents selected from phenyl, C₁₋₄alkylamino, cyano,         Het¹, hydroxy and C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;     -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently hydrogen or phenyl;     -   aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three         substituents each independently selected from nitro, cyano,         halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, —O—R⁶,         phenyl, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more         substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ and NR⁹R¹⁰;     -   Het¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl,         imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,         pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular imidazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl, wherein said         monocyclic heterocycles each independently may optionally be         substituted with one, or where possible, two or three         substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and         C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; more         preferably Het¹ is imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl or         pyridinyl each independently and optionally substituted with         one, or where possible, two or three substituents each         independently selected from Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally         substituted with Het² or R¹¹;     -   Het² is an aromatic heterocycle; more in particular furanyl,         thienyl, pyridinyl or benzothienyl, wherein said aromatic         heterocycles each independently may optionally be substituted         with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each         independently selected from R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl;     -   Het³ is piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl or         tetrahydropyranyl each independently and optionally substituted         with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each         independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl,         C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with         one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy,         C₁₋₄alkyloxy and phenyl;     -   Het⁴ is thienyl;     -   Het⁵ is piperidinyl or piperazinyl optionally substituted with         C₁₋₄alkyl or sulfonamido.         Special compounds are those compounds of formula (I″) wherein p         is 2 and both R¹ substituents are chloro; more preferably the         two chloro substituents are in the ortho positions relative to         the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.         Particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I″) wherein         the 6-azauracil moiety is in the para position relative to the         carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is         2 whereby both R¹ substituents are chloro positioned ortho         relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴         substituents.         Other particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I″)         wherein X is a direct bond and R² is a monocyclic heterocycle         selected from pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl, in particular         imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridinyl,         wherein said monocyclic heterocycles each independently may         optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or         three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹         and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹; more in         particular R² is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or         oxadiazolyl.         Preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I″) wherein         R³ and R⁴ are both methyl and —X—R² is Het¹ wherein Het¹         suitably is optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridinyl or         oxadiazolyl.         More preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I″)         wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl, —X—R² is optionally         substituted 2-thiazolyl or 3-oxadiazolyl, the 6-azauracil moiety         is in the para position relative to the carbon atom bearing the         —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is 2 whereby both R¹         substituents are chloro positioned ortho relative to the carbon         atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.

In order to simplify the structural representation of the compounds of formula (I), the group

will hereinafter be represented by the symbol D.

Compounds of formula (I) can generally be prepared by a series of reactions comprising the step of reacting an intermediate of formula (II) wherein W¹ is a suitable leaving group such as, for example, a halogen atom, with an appropriate reagent of formula (III).

Said reaction may be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetic acid, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol or a mixture thereof. Alternatively, in case the reagent of formula (III) acts as a solvent, no additional reaction-inert solvent is required. The reaction is optionally carried out in the presence of a base such as, for example, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, sodium bicarbonate, sodiumethanolate and the like. Convenient reaction temperatures range between −70° C. and reflux temperature. In this and the following preparations, the reaction products may be isolated from the reaction medium and, if necessary, further purified according to methodologies generally known in the art such as, for example, extraction, crystallization, distillation, trituration and chromatography.

Some of the compounds and intermediates of the present invention can be prepared according to or analogous to the procedures described in EP-A-0,170,316, EP-A-0,232,932 and WO99/02505.

Alternatively, for instance, compounds of formula (I) may generally be prepared by cyclizing an intermediate of formula (IV) wherein L is a suitable leaving group such as, for example, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or halo, and E represents an appropriate electron attracting group such as, for example, an ester, an amide, a cyanide, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy and the like groups; and eliminating the group E of the thus obtained triazinedione of formula (V). The cyclization can suitably be carried out by refluxing the intermediate (IV) in acidic medium such as acetic acid and in the presence of a base such as, for example, potassium acetate.

Depending on its nature, E can be eliminated using various art-known elimination procedures. For example when E is an amide or a cyano moiety, it can be hydrolized to a carboxylic moiety by for instance refluxing the intermediate bearing the E group in hydrochloric acid and acetic acid. The thus obtained intermediate can then be further reacted with mercaptoacetic acid or a functional derivative thereof to obtain a compound of formula (I). Said reaction is conveniently carried out at elevated temperatures ranging up to reflux temperature.

A suitable way to prepare intermediates of formula (IV) involves the reaction of an intermediate of formula (VI) with sodium nitrate or a functional derivative thereof in an acidic medium such as for example hydrochloric acid in acetic acid, and preferably in the same reaction mixture, further reacting the thus obtained intermediate with a reagent of formula (VII) wherein L and E are as defined above, in the presence of a base such as, for example, sodium acetate.

An interesting subgroup within the present invention are those compounds of formula (I) wherein —X—R² is an optionally substituted 2-thiazolyl moiety, said compounds being represented by formula (I-a). The optionally substituted 2-thiazolyl moiety can be incorporated in the compounds of formula (I-a) at different stages of the preparation process.

For instance, scheme 1 above depicts three possible ways to prepare compounds of formula (I-a).

A first pathway involves the reaction of the cyano moiety in an intermediate of formula (VIII) to the corresponding thioamide using H₂S gas in a suitable solvent such as, for example, pyridine and in the presence of a base such as, for example, triethylamine, thus obtaining an intermediate of formula (IX-a). This thioamide can then be cyclized with an intermediate of formula (XII) wherein W is a suitable leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. bromo, in a suitable solvent such as, for example, ethanol. The amino moiety in the resulting 2-thiazolyl derivative of formula (IX-b) can then be further reacted as described hereinabove to form a 6-azauracil ring, thus obtaining a compound of formula (I-a).

A second pathway to form compounds of formula (I-a) involves first the protecting of the amino moiety in an intermediate of formula (VIII) by introducing a suitable protective group P such as, for example, an alkylcarbonyl group, using art-known protection techniques. In the example of P being a alkylcarbonyl group, the intermediates of formula (VII) can be reacted with the corresponding anhydride of formula alkyl-C(═O)—O—C(═O)-alkyl in an appropriate solvent such as, for example, toluene. The thus obtained intermediate of formula (X-a) can then be further reacted according to the first pathway described hereinabove. The final step, before formation of the 6-azauracil ring can be initiated after having deprotected the amino moiety using art-known deprotection techniques. In the example of P being a alkylcarbonyl group, the intermediates of formula (X-c) may be deprotected by reacting them in a suitable solvent such as, for example, ethanol, in the presence of an acid such as, for example, hydrochloric acid.

A third pathway involves first the formation of the 6-azauracil ring as described hereinabove but starting from an intermediate of formula (VIII), and subsequently reacting the thus formed intermediate of formula (XI-a) with H₂S and further reacting the thioamide of formula (XI-b) with an intermediate of formula (XII) as described in the first pathway, to finally form a compound of formula (I-a).

Another interesting subgroup within the present invention are those compounds of formula (I) wherein —X—R² is an optionally substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl moiety, said compounds being represented by formula (I-b-1). The optionally substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl moiety can be incorporated at the same stages of the reaction procedure as depicted for the 2-thiazolyl derivatives in scheme 1.

For instance, analogous to one of the three pathways shown in scheme 1, compounds of formula (I-b-1) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (VIII) as depicted in scheme 2.

In said scheme 2, the cyano group of an intermediate of formula (VIII) is reacted with hydroxylamine or a functional derivative thereof in a suitable solvent such as, for example, methanol, and in the presence of a base such as, for example sodium methanolate. The thus formed intermediate of formula (XIII-a) is then reacted with an intermediate of formula (XIV) wherein W is a suitable leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. chloro, in an appropriate solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, and in the presence of a base, such as, for example, N,N-(1-methylethyl)ethaneamine. The resulting intermediate of formula (XIII-b) is then cyclized to a 3-oxadiazolyl derivative of formula (XIII-c). The amino moiety in the intermediates of formula (XIII-c) can then be transformed to the 6-azauracil ring as described above.

Still another interesting subgroup within the present invention are those compounds of formula (I) wherein —X—R² is an optionally substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl moiety, said compounds being represented by formula (I-b-2).

For instance, compounds of formula (I-b-2) can be prepared as depicted in scheme 3.

The nitrite moiety in an intermediate of formula (XV) is transformed into a carboxylic acid moiety using art-known techniques. For instance, the nitrite derivative may be refluxed in a mixture of sulfuric acid and acetic acid in water. The carboxylic acid derivative of formula (XVI-a) may the further be reacted with a chlorinating agent such as, for example, thionyl chloride, to form an acylchloride derivative of formula (XVI-b). Subsequently, The acyl chloride may be reacted with a hydrazine derivative of formula (XVII) in a suitable solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, and in the presence of a base such as, for example N,N-(1-methylethyl)ethaneamine. The thus formed intermediate of formula (XVI-c) may be cyclized to a 1,2,4-oxadiazol-2-yl derivative of formula (XVI-d) in the presence of phophoryl chloride. As a final step before the formation of the 6-azauracil ring as described above, the nitro group in the intermediates of formula (XVI-e) is reduced to an amino group using art-known reduction techniques such as, for instance, reducing the nitro group with hydrogen in methanol and in the presence of a catalyst such as Raney Nickel.

Yet another interesting subgroup within the present invention are those compounds of formula (I) wherein —X—R² is —NH—R², said compounds being represented by formula (I-c-1). Scheme 4 depicts a suitable pathway to obtain compounds of formula (I-c-1).

In said scheme 4, the cyano moiety of an intermediate of formula (XI-a) is hydrolized to the corresponding amide using art-known techniques such as, for instance, hydrolysis in the presence of acetic acid and sulfuric acid. The thus formed amide in the intermediates of formula (XVIII-a) can be transformed in an amine using (diacetoxyiodo)benzene or a functional derivative thereof in a suitable solvent such as, for example a mixture of water and acetonitrile. The amine derivative of formula (XVIII-b) can then be reacted with benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino) phosphonium hexafluoro-phosphate as described in Tetrahedron Letters No.14 (1975) p. 1219-1222 to obtain a compound, or with a functional derivative thereof such as, for instance, an isothiocyanate, in an appropriate solvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (VIII) can be prepared as depicted in scheme 5.

An intermediate of formula (XIX) and an intermediate of formula (XX) may be reacted in a suitable solvent such as, for example, dimethylsulfoxide, in the presence of a base such as, for example sodium hydroxide, to form an intermediate of formula (XV-a). The nitro moiety in the intermediates of formula (XV-a) may either be immediately reduced to an amino group using art-known reduction techniques such as, for example, reducing the nitro group with hydrogen in methanol and in the presnece of a catalyst such as Raney Nickel, or may first be reacted with an intermediate of formula R^(4′)-W wherein R^(4′) is the same as R⁴ but other than hydrogen and W is a suitable leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. iodo, in a suitable solvent such as, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide, and in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, sodium hydride, before reducing the nitro moiety.

The compounds of formula (I) can also be converted into each other following art-known procedures of functional group transformation such as, for example, those mentioned in WO99/02505 and the ones exemplified in the experimental part hereinafter. In particular, compounds of formula (I) containing at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety born by R², wherein Z is O or S and R¹⁴ is other than hydrogen, can suitably be prepared by reacting the compound of formula (XXI) containing the corresponding moiety —C(═O)—Z—H with an appropriate reagent of formula (XXII) wherein W² is a suitable leaving group, as follows:

For instance a first process of such preparation involves reacting the compound of formula (XXI) containing the corresponding moiety —C(═O)—Z—H with a halide, preferably a bromide having the formula Br—R¹⁴, in a reaction-inert solvent such as defined above and in the presence of sodium hydrogenocarbonate. The said reaction is performed at a temperature below the boiling point of the solvent used and, for example, for a period of time between about 2 and 18 hours when dimethylformamide is used as the solvent. A second process of such preparation involves reacting the compound of formula (XXI) containing the corresponding moiety —C(═O)—Z—H with an alcohol having the formula R¹⁴—OH, in a reaction-inert solvent such as defined above and in the presence of 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole optionally admixed with 1,8-Diaza-7-bicyclo (5.4.0) undecene. When methylene chloride is used as the solvent, the reaction may be performed at room temperature for a period of time of several hours.

The present invention is also concerned with new compounds of formula:

wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl or R²⁰ and R²¹ taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical. These new compounds are useful for preparing a compound of formula (I) when Het⁵ represents a sulfonamido substituted piperazine. Such intermediate compounds of formula (XXIII) can be prepared by reacting N,N-dimethyl-1-piperazinesulfonamide with an alkylene oxide in a reaction-inert solvent such as methanol and/or methylene chloride. Suitable alkylene oxides for this purpose include for instance ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1-2 butylene oxide, cyclohexylene oxide and the like.

The present invention is also concerned with new compounds of formulae:

which are useful intermediates in the preparation of some of the compounds of formula (I).

The compounds of formula (I) may also be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a trivalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form. Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be carried out by reacting the starting material of formula (I) with 3-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)oxaziridine or with an appropriate organic or inorganic peroxide. Appropriate inorganic peroxides comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropriate organic peroxides may comprise peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. t-butyl hydroperoxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alkanols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents.

Pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) may be obtained by the application of art-known procedures. Diastereomers may be separated by physical methods such as selective crystallization and chromatographic techniques, e.g. counter-current distribution, liquid chromatography and the like.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) and some of the intermediates in the present invention may contain an asymmetric carbon atom. Pure stereochemically isomeric forms of said compounds and said intermediates can be obtained by the application of art-known procedures. For example, diastereoisomers can be separated by physical methods such as selective crystallization or chromatographic techniques, e.g. counter current distribution, liquid chromatography and the like methods. Enantiomers can be obtained from racemic mixtures by first converting said racemic mixtures with suitable resolving agents such as, for example, chiral acids, to mixtures of diastereomeric salts or compounds; then physically separating said mixtures of diastereomeric salts or compounds by, for example, selective crystallization or chromatographic techniques, e.g. liquid chromatography and the like methods; and finally converting said separated diastereomeric salts or compounds into the corresponding enantiomers. Pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be obtained from the pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate intermediates and starting materials, provided that the intervening reactions occur stereospecifically.

An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) and intermediates involves liquid chromatography, in particular liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase.

Some of the intermediates and starting materials as used in the reaction procedures mentioned hereinabove are known compounds and may be commercially available or may be prepared according to art-known procedures.

IL-5, also known as eosinophil differentiating factor (EDF) or eosinophil colony stimulating factor (Eo-CSF), is a major survival and differentiation factor for eosinophils and therefore thought to be a key player in eosinophil infiltration into tissues. There is ample evidence that eosinophil influx is an important pathogenic event in bronchial asthma and allergic diseases such as, cheilitis, irritable bowel disease, eczema, urticaria, vasculitis, vulvitis, winterfeet, atopic dermatitis, pollinosis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis; and other inflammatory diseases, such as eosinophilic syndrome, allergic angiitis, eosinophilic fasciitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, PIE syndrome, idiopathic eosinophilia, eosinophilic myalgia, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and the like diseases.

The present compounds also inhibit the production of other chemokines such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and -3 (MCP-1 and MCP-3). MCP-1 is known to attract both T-cells, in which IL-5 production mainly occurs, and monocytes, which are known to act synergetically with eosinophils (Carr et al., 1994, Immunology, 91, 3652-3656). MCP-3 also plays a primary role in allergic inflammation as it is known to mobilize and activate basophil and eosinophil leukocytes (Baggiolini et al., 1994, Immunology Today, 15(3), 127-133).

The present compounds have no or little effect on the production of other chemokines such as IL-1, IL-2, II-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, γ-interferon (IFN-) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) indicating that the present IL-5 inhibitors do not act as broad-spectrum immunosuppressives.

The selective chemokine inhibitory effect of the present compounds can be demonstrated by in vitro chemokine measurements in human blood. In vivo observations such as the inhibition of eosinophilia in mouse ear, the inhibition of blood eosinophilia in the Ascaris mouse model; the reduction of serum IL-5 protein production and splenic IL-5 mRNA expression induced by anti-CD3 antibody in mice and the inhibition of allergen- or Sephadex-induced pulmonary influx of eosinophils in guinea-pig are indicative for the usefulness of the present compounds in the treatment of eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases.

The present inhibitors of IL-5 production are particularly useful for administration via inhalation.

The intermediates of formula (XI-a) are interesting intermediates. Not only have they a particular usefulness as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds of formula (I), they also have valuable pharmacological activity.

In view of the above pharmacological properties, the compounds of formula (I) can be used as a medicine. In particular, the present compounds can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for treating eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases as mentioned hereinabove, more in particular bronchial asthma, atopic dertmatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

In view of the utility of the compounds of formula (I), there is provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffering from eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases, in particular bronchial asthma, atopic dertmatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Said method comprises the systemic or topical administration of an effective amount of a Compound of formula (I), a N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a possible stereoisomeric form thereof, to warm-blooded animals, including humans.

The present invention also provides compositions for treating eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, a therapeutically effective amount of the particular compound, in base form or addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirably in unitary dosage form suitable, preferably, for systemic administration such as parenteral administration; or topical administration such as via inhalation, a nose spray or the like. Application of said compositions may be by aerosol, e.g. with a propellent such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a freon, or without a propellent such as a pump spray, drops, lotions, or a semisolid such as a thickened composition which can be applied by a swab. In particular, semisolid compositions such as salves, creams, gellies, ointments and the like will conveniently be used.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used in the specification and claims herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such dosage unit forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, injectable solutions or suspensions, teaspoonfuls, tablespoonfuls and the like, and segregated multiples thereof.

In order to enhance the solubility and/or the stability of the compounds of formula (I) in pharmaceutical compositions, it can be advantageous to employ α-, β- oρ γ-cyclodextrins or their derivatives. Also co-solvents such as alcohols may improve the solubility and/or the stability of the compounds of formula (I) in pharmaceutical compositions. In the preparation of aqueous compositions, addition salts of the subject compounds are obviously more suitable due to their increased water solubility.

Appropriate cyclodextrins are α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrins or ethers and mixed ethers thereof wherein one or more of the hydroxy groups of the anhydroglucose units of the cyclodextrin are substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, particularly methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, e.g. randomly methylated β-CD; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly hydroxyethyl, hydroxy-propyl or hydroxybutyl; carboxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly carboxymethyl or carboxy-ethyl; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, particularly acetyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or carboxy-C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly carboxymethoxypropyl or carboxyethoxypropyl; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly 2-acetyloxypropyl. Especially noteworthy as complexants and/or solubilizers are β-CD, randomly methylated β-CD, 2,6-dimethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-γ-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-CD and (2-carboxymethoxy)propyl-γ-CD, and in particular 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (2-HP-β-CD).

The term mixed ether denotes cyclodextrin derivatives wherein at least two cyclodextrin hydroxy groups are etherified with different groups such as, for example, hydroxypropyl and hydroxyethyl.

The average molar substitution (M.S.) is used as a measure of the average number of moles of alkoxy units per mole of anhydroglucose. The M.S. value can be determined by various analytical techniques, preferably, as measured by mass spectrometry, the M.S. ranges from 0.125 to 10.

The average substitution degree (D.S.) refers to the average number of substituted hydroxyls per anhydroglucose unit. The D.S. value can be determined by various analytical techniques, preferably, as measured by mass spectrometry, the D.S. ranges from 0.125 to 3.

Due to their high degree of selectivity as IL-5 inhibitors, the compounds of formula (I) as defined above, are also useful to mark or identify receptors. To this purpose, the compounds of the present invention need to be labelled, in particular by replacing, partially or completely, one or more atoms in the molecule by their radioactive isotopes. Examples of interesting labelled compounds are those compounds having at least one halo which is a radioactive isotope of iodine, bromine or fluorine; or those compounds having at least one ¹¹C-atom or tritium atom.

One particular group consists of those compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ is a radioactive halogen atom. In principle, any compound of formula (I) containing a halogen atom is prone for radiolabelling by replacing the halogen atom by a suitable isotope. Suitable halogen radioisotopes to this purpose are radioactive iodides, e.g. ¹²²I, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I; radioactive bromides, e.g. ⁷⁵Br, ⁷⁶Br, ⁷⁷Br and ⁸²Br, and radioactive fluorides, e.g. ¹⁸F. The introduction of a radioactive halogen atom can be performed by a suitable exchange reaction or by using any one of the procedures as described hereinabove to prepare halogen derivatives of formula (I).

Another interesting form of radiolabelling is by substituting a carbon atom by a ¹¹C-atom or the substitution of a hydrogen atom by a tritium atom.

Hence, said radiolabelled compounds of formula (I) can be used in a process of specifically marking receptor sites in biological material. Said process comprises the steps of (a) radiolabelling a compound of formula (I), (b) administering this radiolabelled compound to biological material and subsequently (c) detecting the emissions from the radiolabelled compound.

The term biological material is meant to comprise every kind of material which has a biological origin. More in particular this term refers to tissue samples, plasma or body fluids but also to animals, specially warm-blooded animals, or parts of animals such as organs.

The radiolabelled compounds of formula (I) are also useful as agents for screening whether a test compound has the ability to occupy or bind to a particular receptor site. The degree to which a test compound will displace a compound of formula (I) from such a particular receptor site will show the test compound ability as either an agonist, an antagonist or a mixed agonist/antagonist of said receptor.

When used in in vivo assays, the radiolabelled compounds are administered in an appropriate composition to an animal and the location of said radiolabelled compounds is detected using imaging techniques, such as, for instance, Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and the like. In this manner the distribution of the particular receptor sites throughout the body can be detected and organs containing said receptor sites can be visualized by the imaging techniques mentioned hereinabove. This process of imaging an organ by administering a radiolabelled compound of formula (I) and detecting the emissions from the radioactive compound also constitutes a part of the present invention.

In general, it is contemplated that a therapeutically effective daily amount would be from 0.01 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg body weight, in particular from 0.05 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg body weight. A method of treatment may also include administering the active ingredient on a regimen of between two or four intakes per day.

Experimental Part

In the examples hereinafter, “DMSO” stands for dimethylsulfoxide, “RT” stands for room temperature, “DMF” stand for N,N-dimethylformamide, “EtOAc” stands for ethylacetate, “DIPE” stands for diisopropylether and “THF” stands for tetrahydrofuran.

A. Preparation of the Intermediate Compounds

EXAMPLE A1

a) A mixture of 2-chloropropionitrile (0.2 mole) and 1,3-dichloro-5-nitrobenzene (0.2 mole) in DMSO (50 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a solution of NaOH (1 mole) in DMSO (150 ml) while the temperature was kept below 30° C. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour, then poured out on ice and acidified with HCl. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with H₂O and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic solution was washed with H₂O, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/cyclohexane 70/30). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 19.5 g (40%) of (±)-2,6-dichloro-α-methyl-4-nitrobenzeneacetonitrile (intermediate 1).

b) NaH 80% (0.0918 mole) was added portionwise at 0° C. under N₂ flow to a solution of intermediate (1) (0.0612 mole) in DMF (100 ml). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. under N₂ flow for 1 hour. CH₃l (0.0918 mole) was added dropwise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 12 hours, then poured out on ice and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with H₂O, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 17.1 g of 2,6-dichloro-α,α-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzeneacetonitrile (intermediate 2).

c) A mixture of intermediate (2) (0.066 mole) in CH₃OH (200 ml) was hydrogenated at RT under a 3 bar pressure for 1 hour with Raney Nickel (15 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂, the catalyst was filtered through celite, washed with CH₃OH and the filtrate was evaporated, yielding 17.1 g of 4-amino-2,6-dichloro-α,α-dimethylbenzeneacetonitrile (intermediate 3).

EXAMPLE A2

a) A solution of NaNO₂ (0.36 mole) in H₂O (50 ml) was added to a solution of intermediate (3) (0.34 mole) in acetic acid (700 ml) and HCl (102 ml), stirred at 10° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 80 minutes at 10° C. A powdered mixture of sodium acetate (1.02 mole) and diethyl(1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl)biscarbamate (0.374 mole) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 40 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured out onto crushed ice. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, taken up into CH₂Cl₂, and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 138.5 g (84%) of diethyl N,N′-[2-[[3,5-dichloro-4-(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)phenyl]hydrazono]-1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl]dicarbamate (intermediate 4).

b) A solution of intermediate (4) (0.28 mole) and potassium acetate (0.28 mole) in acetic acid (1000 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours. The reaction mixture containing ethyl [[2-[3,5-dichloro-4-(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)phenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-6-yl]carbonyl]carbamate (intermediate 5) was used as such in the next step.

c) Intermediate (5) (crude reaction mixture) was treated with HCl 36% (0.84 mole). The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, then stirred at RT over the weekend. The reaction mixture was poured out onto crushed ice and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 111.6 g of 2-[3,5-dichloro-4-(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)phenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazine-6-carboxylic acid (intermediate 6).

d) A suspension of intermediate (6) (0.28 mole) in mercaptoacetic acid (250 ml) was stirred for 4 hours at 100° C., then allowed to cool to RT and stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was poured out onto crushed ice and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by short column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off, washed with DIPE, then dried, yielding 36.8 g (41%) of 2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl)-α,α-dimethylbenzeneacetonitrile. The filtrate was stirred in DIPE and the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE, and dried, yielding 2.5 g (3%) of 2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl)-α,α-dimethylbenzeneacetonitrile (intermediate 7).

e) A solution of intermediate (7) (0.107 mole) and N,N-bis(1-methylethyl)ethanamine (0.315 mole) in pyridine (500 ml) was stirred and heated to 80° C. H₂S was allowed to bubble through this solution for 24 hours at 80° C. H₂S gas inlet was stopped and the reaction mixture was stirred over the weekend at RT. The solvent was evaporated. 500 ml of a 9:1 CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH mixture was added, and the resulting mixture was then poured out into 2 N HCl (1000 ml) at 0° C. and stirred for 10 minutes. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 23.2 g (64%) of 2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4]-α,α-dimethylbenzeneethanethioamide (intermediate 8).

EXAMPLE A3

Under a nitogen atmosphere, a solution of intermediate (8) (0.0125 mole) and

(0.0157 mole) in ethanol (60 ml) and DMF (30 ml; dried over molecular sieves) was stirred for 6.5 hours at 60° C., then overnight at RT. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up into water (100 ml) and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml). The separated organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent evaporated, then co-evaporated with toluene. The residue (13 g) was purified by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 100/0, then 99/1, ending with 98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator. The residue (6.5 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with CH₃CN and DIPE, then dried under vacuum at 50° C., yielding 3.17 g (46.5%) of ethyl-2-[1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl]phenyl]-1-methylethyl]-4-phenyl-5-thiazoleacetate (intermediate 9) having a melting point of 148° C.

EXAMPLE A4

A mixture of intermediate (9) (0.00183 mole) and NaOH 1N (0.0055 mole) in CH₃OH (25 ml) and THF (25 ml) was stirred overnight at RT. The reaction mixture was acidified with 1N HCl (8 ml) and the resulting product was taken up into EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE, and dried, yielding 0.8 g (79%) of 2-[1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)yl)phenyl]-1-methylethyl]-4-phenyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid (intermediate 10).

EXAMPLE A5

First a solution of bromine (0.02 mole) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml) was added dropwise at 10° C. under a nitogen flow to a mixture of a compound having the formula:

(0.0227 mole) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml). The mixture was stirred at 10° C. for 1 hour. H₂O and solid K₂CO₃ were added. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The reaction was carried out 4 times, using the same quantities and combining the residues, yielding 14 g (51%) of 1,1-dimethylethyl ∀-bromo-∃-oxo-benzenepropanoate. A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.0119 mole), 1,1-dimethylethyl ∀-bromo-∃-oxo-benzenepropanoate (0.0137 mole) and K₂CO₃ (0.0357 mole) in CH₃CN (55 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 3.5 hours. Ice and EtOAc were added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The product was used without further purification, yielding 8 g of intermediate 11 having the formula

EXAMPLE A6

Intermediate (11) (0.0119 mole) and tert.-butanol (24 g) were stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The mixture was brought to room temperature. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic solution was washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (7.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). Two fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated, yielding 2.66 g (fraction 1) and 0.7 g (fraction 2) respectively. Fraction 2 was purified by column chromatography (eluent: CH₃OH/NH₄OAc 0.5% 80/20; column: HYPERSIL C18, 3 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.45 g of intermediate 12 having a melting point of 130° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A7

Intermediate 12 (0.00465 mole) was added portionwise at 0° C.-10° C. to trifluoroacetic acid (35 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and poured out into H₂O. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with H₂O and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.4 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.16 g of intermediate 13 having a melting point of 232° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A8

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0159 mole) was added portionwise at RT under a nitrogen flow to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.00795 mole) in DMF (60 ml). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight. H₂S was bubbled through the mixture for 1 hour. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour, poured out into a sarurated NaCl solution and extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The resulting intermediate 14, represented by the formula

was used without further purification.

EXAMPLE A9

A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.0158 mole) and

(0.0237 mole) in ethanol (60 ml) and DMF (40 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. EtOAc was added. The organic solution was washed 3 times with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (11.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 4.2 g (47%) of a product, part of which (1.5 g) was crystallized from petroleum ether and DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.15 g of intermediate 15 having a melting point of 126° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A10

A mixture of intermediate (15) (0.0045 mole) and NaOH (0.0135 mole) in methanol (30 ml) and THF (30 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, poured out on ice, acidified with HCl and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 9515/0.1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.5 g (64%) of a product, part of which (1 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.5 g of intermediate 16 having a melting point of 192° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A11

a) NaOCH₃ 30% (0.592 mole) was added to a solution of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.1085 mole) in CH₃OH (200 ml), stirred at RT. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Intermediate (3) (0.0542 mole) was added portionwise and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ and water. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off, washed with DIPE, and dried, yielding 3.7 g (26%) of 4-amino-2,6-dichloro-N′-hydroxy-α,α-dimethylbenzeneethanimidamide (intermediate 17).

b) A solution of intermediate (17) (0.0323 mole) and N,N-bis(methylethyl)ethanamine (0.0339 mole) in CH₂Cl₂ (190 ml) was stirred at 15° C. A solution of 2-methylbenzoyl chloride (0.0323 mole) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) was added dropwise and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred for one hour. Water was added. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator, yielding 13.0 g of [1-amino-2-(4-amino-2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-methylpropylidenyl]amino 2-methylbenzoate (intermediate 18).

c) A solution of intermediate (18) (0.0323 mole) and paratoluenesulfonic acid (0.0323 mole) in DMSO (100 ml) was stirred for 30 minutes at 150° C. The reaction mixture was cooled. Water was added and this mixture was extracted with toluene. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by short column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The concentrate was co-evaporated with EtOAc, yielding 11.7 g of 3,5-dichloro-4-[1-[5-(2-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-1-methylethyl]benzenamine (intermediate 19).

d) A solution of intermediate (19) (0.0302 mole) and concentrated HCl (0.0906 mole) in acetic acid (100 ml) was stirred at 0° C. A solution of NaNO₂ (0.032 mole) in water (10 ml) was added dropwise at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 0° C. A powdered mixture of sodium acetate (0.0906 mole) and diethyl(1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl)biscarbamate (0.0332 mole) was added portionwise. The mixture was allowed to warm to RT and stirred for 1 hour. Water was added and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding diethyl N,N′-[2-[[3,5-dichloro-4-[1-[5-(2-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-1-methylethyl]phenyl]hydrazono]-1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl]dicarbamate (intermediate 20).

e) A solution of intermediate (20) (0.0302 mole) and sodium acetate (0.0302 mole) in acetic acid (200 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was poured out into water and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator, yielding ethyl [[2-[3,5-dichloro-4-[1-[5-(2-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-1-methylethyl]phenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-6-yl]carbonyl]carbamate (intermediate 21).

f) A mixture of intermediate (21) (0.0302 mole) in HCl 36% (10 ml) and acetic acid (200 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was poured out onto crushed ice and this mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 16.3 g of 2-[3,5-dichloro-4-[1-[5-[2-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-1-methylethyl]phenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazine-6-carboxylic acid (intermediate 22).

EXAMPLE A12

A mixture of intermediate (22) (0.0133 mole) in mercaptoacetic acid (7 ml) was stirred at 175° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was cooled, poured out into ice water, basified with K₂CO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with H₂O, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.2 g (36%) of intermediate 23 represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A13

A mixture of intermediate (23) (0.0011 mole), 1-bromo-2,5-pyrrolinedione (0.0011 mole) and dibenzoyl peroxide (catalytic quantity) in CCl₄ (30 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours. The mixture was allowed to cool to RT. The mixture was filtered over a diatomaceous earth commercially available under the tradename Dicalite and the filtrate contained 2-[4-[1-[5-[2-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-1-methylethyl]-3,5-dichlorophenyl]-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)-dione (intermediate 24).

EXAMPLE A14

A solution of intermediate (24) (0.017 mole) and KCN (0.034 mole) in ethanol (100 ml) and H₂O (30 ml) was stirred for 8 hours at 60° C. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up into CH₂Cl₂, then washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 8.2 g of intermediate 25 represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A15

A solution of intermediate (25) (0.017 mole) in HOAc (50 ml), H₂SO₄ (50 ml) and H₂O (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured out into iced water and the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed, then dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The organic solution was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 95/5). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by high performance liquid chromatography over RP BDS Hyperprep C18 (100 Å, 8 μm; gradient elution with (0.5% NH₄OAc in water/CH₃CN 90/10)/CH₃OH/CH₃CN). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in hexane, filtered off and dried under vacuum at 60° C., yielding 0.084 g of intermediate 26 represented by the formula

EXAMPLE A16

A solution of intermediate (26) (0.0014 mole) in SOCl₂ (15 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. SOCl₂ was evaporated under reduced pressure. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator, yielding 100% of intermediate 27 represented by the formula

B. Preparation of the Final Compounds

EXAMPLE B1

A mixture of 3-bromodihydro-2(3H)-furanone (0.0081 mole) in DMF (16 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a mixture of intermediate (10)(0.00773 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0081 mole) in DMF (30 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours and brought to room temperature. H₂O and a saturated NaCl solution were added. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.24 g of compound 1 having a melting point of 72° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B2

A solution of 1-bromopentadecane (0.0051 mole) in DMF (18 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a mixture of intermediate (10) (0.00483 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0051 mole) in DMF (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours and at 45° C. overnight, then brought to room temperature. H₂O and NaCl were added. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with a saturated NaCl solution, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.49 g of compound 2 having a melting point of 80° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B3

A solution of 3-bromodihydro-2(3H)-furanone (0.0073 mole) in DMF (12 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.00695 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0073 mole) in DMF (22 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2.5 hours, brought to RT and poured out into H₂O. The precipitate was filtered off and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5.4 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN, diethyl ether and DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yielding: 1.3 g. This fraction was recrystallized from CH₃CN, 2-propanone and diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.89 g of compound 3 having a melting point of 208° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B4

NaHCO₃ (0.00835 mole) was added dropwise at 5° C. under a nitrogen flow to a mixture of intermediate (14) (0.00795 mole) in DMF (22 ml). Then a solution of 3-bromodihydro-2(3H)-furanone (0.00835 mole) in DMF (12 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was brought to RT and stirred at RT for 30 minutes and then poured out into water and a saturated NaCl solution. A small amount of HCl 3N was added. The precipitate was filtered off and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5.1 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN, diethyl ether and DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue was recrystallized from CH₃CN, diethyl ether and DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.85 g of compound 4 having a melting point of 212° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B5

A mixture of 3-bromodihydro-2(3H)-furanone (0.00172 mole) in DMF (5 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a mixture of intermediate (16) (0.00172 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.00172 mole) in DMF (5 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours, poured out into water and a saturated NaCl solution and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed several times with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/2-propanol 97/3; 15-40 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.13 g of compound 5 having a melting point of 110° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B6

A solution of intermediate (27) (0.001 mole) in ethanol (15 ml) and dichloromethane (15 ml) was stirred and refluxed for one hour. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by means of high performance liquid chromatography over Hyperprep C18 (eluent: ((0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃CN 90/10)/CH₃CN (0 min) 80/20, (44 min) 20/80, (57-61 min) 0/100). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in hexane, filtered off, washed and dried under vacuum at 60° C., yielding 0.059 g of compound 6 having a melting point of 157° C. and represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B7

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.00387 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0058 mole) in dichloromethane (40 ml) was stirred at RT for 90 minutes, then cyclohexylmethanol (0.0058 mole) was added. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed twice with an aqueous solution of NaCl. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 50/50). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from EtOAc. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried at 50° C. overnight, yielding 1.43 g of compound 7 with a molecular weight of 613.5, a melting point of 180° C. and represented by the formula

wherein R¹⁴ is cyclohexylmethyl.

EXAMPLES B8 TO B53

The following table 1 lists compounds of formula (IA) which were prepared according to the procedure of example B7, while replacing cyclohexylmethanol by the relevant alcohol having the formula R¹⁴OH. For the synthesis of compounds 8, 15-18, 21-23, 27, 32-34, 40-42 and 44, the amount of dichloromethane was increased up to 50 ml, and for compound 53 up to 60 ml. For the synthesis of compound 51, dichloromethane was replaced by 45 ml DMF. This table also indicates the melting point (when available) M.P. (expressed in ° C.) and the yield Y of obtention (expressed as a percentage) of the said compounds.

TABLE 1 COMPOUND NO. R¹⁴ M.P. (° C.) Y (%) 8

9 Isopentyl 148 10 2-phenyl-ethyl 130 38 11 3-phenyl-n-propyl 114 41 12 2-(N,N′-diisopropylamino)-ethyl 136 13 2-cyano-ethyl 179 62 14

75 15 3-cyclohexyl-n-propyl 130 16 4-phenyl-n-butyl 128 17 Cyclopentylmethyl 18 3-cyclopropyl-n-propyl 19

50 20

21 5-phenyl-n-pentyl 155 22 Cyclobutylmethyl 150 23 2-cyclohexylethyl 150 24

56 25 Cyclopentylmethyl 160 26 2-isopentenyl 175 27 1-Cyanoethyl 28

29 4-Cyclohexyl-n-butyl 30

33 31 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl 67 32 Phenylmethyl 33 Phenyl 34 2-methoxyethyl 35 3-ol-n-propyl 36 Acetamido 246 29 37 N,N′-diethylacetamido 162 60 38 Dimethylaminoethyl 39 Styrylmethyl 40 Cyclohexyl 183 17 41 Toluylacetyloxy 151 71 42

140 37 43 N-methylpiperidinyl 28 44

160 45

22 46

156 49 47

191 37 48 2,2-diethoxyethyl 156 49

19 50 Benzylaminoethyl 51

40 52

22 53

43

EXAMPLE B54

A mixture of 2-bromomethyl-1,4-benzodioxan (0.0044 mole) in DMF (2 ml was added to a mixture of intermediate (13)(0.0044 mole) and NaHCO₃ 0.0044 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 6 hours, then 0.0022 mole of intermediate (13) was added. The mixture was stirred again at 70° C. overnight, then poured out into water, acidified with HCl (3N), extracted with EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.57 g of compound 54 having a molecular weight of 651.5, identified in table 2 below (wherein M.P. and Y have the same meanings as in table 1) and represented by the formula

wherein R¹⁴ is

EXAMPLE B55

A mixture of bromo-1-phenyl-2-ethane (0.0065 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0050 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then poured out on ice, acidified with HCl (3N) until pH 5, is extracted with EtOAc and washed several times with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 70-200 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.6 g) was crystallized from diethylether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.42 g of compound 55 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 607.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B56

A mixture of phenylbromomethane (0.0065 mole), intermediate (13) (0.0050 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then cooled and poured out on ice. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and the solvent evaporated. The residue was taken up in HCl (diluted), then water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.0 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.5/0.5; 70-200 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.9 g) was crystallized from diethylether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.51 g of compound 56 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 593.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B57

A mixture of tert-butyl bromoacetate (0.0060 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0050 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then cooled and poured out into ice water. The precipitate was filtered, washed with H₂O, centrifugated off and taken up in EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.0 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂; 70-200 μm). Two fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated. The first fraction (0.9 g) was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.53 g of compound 57 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 617.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B58

A mixture of cyclopropylbromomethane (0.0040 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13)(0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours, poured out on ice, neutralized slowly with HCl (3N) and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed several times, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 92/8; 15-40 μm; CH₃CN/NH₄Ac 1% 60/40 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.34 g of compound 58 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 557.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B59

A mixture of chloro-1 dimethylamino-2 ethane (0.0044 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0087 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at RT for 30 minutes. Intermediate (13)(0.0050 mole) was added portionwise. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, cooled, poured out onto water and neutralized with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.4 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 94/6; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.58 g of compound 59 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 574.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B60

A mixture of 1-chloroethyl ethylcarbonate (0.0065 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0050 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then cooled and poured out into ice water. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with a diluted solution of HCl, washed with water, centrifugated and taken up in EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.3 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂; 70-200 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.7 g) was crystallized from diethylether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.34 g of compound 60 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 619.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B61

A mixture of ethyl bromoacetate (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was stirred at RT. A solution of intermediate (13)(0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours, cooled, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and taken up in EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was crystallized from diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.98 g compound 61 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 589.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B62

A mixture of bromo-1-phenyl-3-propane (0.0065 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0050 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with a diluted solution of HCl, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂; 70-200 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was crystallized from diethylether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.85 g of compound 62 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 621.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B63

A mixture of 2-(chloromethyl)benzimidazole (0.0044 mole) in DMF (5 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13)(0.0044 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0044 mole) in DMF (5 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 15 hours, cooled and poured out on ice. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water several times, centrifugated off and taken up in EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.9 g) was crystallized from diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.4 g of compound 63 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 633.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B64

A mixture of cyclobutyl bromomethane (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13)(0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, then cooled, poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.1 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.25/0.75; 15-40 μm, CH₃CN/NH₄Ac 75/25; 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.9 g) was crystallized from diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.44 g of compound 64 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 571.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B65

A mixture of bromo-3-propanol-1 (0.0050 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0046 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0046 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 6 hours, then cooled and poured out into ice water. The precipitate was filtered, washed with a diluted solution of HCl and died. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.6 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97.5/2.5; 15-40 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.8 g) was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.55 g of compound 65 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 561.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B66

A mixture of bromo-1 methyl-3 butene-2 (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added at RT to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 20 hours, cooled, poured out into ice water, acidified with HCl 3N and then extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.0 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.5/0.5; 70-200 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.5 g) was purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₃CN/0.5%NH₄Oac 70/30; 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.25 g of compound 66 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 571.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B67

A mixture of iodomethyl trimethylacetate (0.0119 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (20 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then poured out on ice and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.3 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm to CH₃COONH₂/CH₃CN 25/75; 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.25 g of compound 67 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 617.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B68

A mixture of N,N-diethyl bromoacetamide (0.0065 mole), intermediate (13) (0.0050 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0050 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, cooled and poured out on ice. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, centrifugated off and taken up in EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with a diluted solution of HCl, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.1 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.4 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN and diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.7 g of compound 68 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 616.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B69

A mixture of 4-chloro-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (0.0031 mole), intermediate (13) (0.0024 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0024 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0024 mole) in DMF (6 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.65 g of compound 69 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 589.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B70

A mixture of 4-bromomethyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (0.0034 mole), intermediate (13)(0.0026 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0026 mole) in DMF (6 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, then poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm) then over Kromasil (eluent: CH₃CN/CH₃OH 80/20; 3.5 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.28 g of compound 70 of formula (IB), having a molecular weight of 615.5 and identified in table 2 below.

EXAMPLE B71

A mixture of 4-bromomethyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (0.0046 mole), intermediate (14)(0.0035 mole), NaHCO₃ (0.0035 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 5 hours, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm) then over Kromasil (eluent: CH₃CN/AcNH₄ 65/35; 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.36 g (33%) of compound 71, having a molecular weight of 631.5 and a melting point of 97° C. and represented by the formula:

EXAMPLE B72

4-bromomethyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (0.0081 mole) was dissolved in DMF (20 ml). This solution was added dropwise to intermediate (10)(0.0077 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0081 mole) in DMF (30 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 3 hours, poured out into water (+NaCl) and extracted three times with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by high performance liquid chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.86 g of an oily fraction which was stirred in hexane/EtOAc (1:1) until a white precipitate was formed. This precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried overnight, yielding 0.58 g of compound 72, having a molecular weight of 629.5 and a melting point of 149° C. and represented by the formula:

TABLE 2 Y COMPOUND NO. R¹⁴ M.P. (° C.) (%) 54

182 53 55 Phenyl-2 ethyl 146 20 56 Phenylmethyl 167 30 57 Tert-butyl acetyl 165 17 58 Cyclopropylmethyl 100 13 59 Dimethylaminoethyl 204 22 60

163 11 61 Ethylacetyl 198 62 Phenyl-3 propyl 165 27 63

172 14 64 Cyclobutylmethyl 80 33 65 Hydroxy-3 propyl 85 31 66 Methyl-3-butene-2-yl 90 11 67 Trimethylacetyl 80 10 68 Diethylacetamido 157 69

90 36 70

102 14

EXAMPLE B73

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.00387 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0058 mole) in dichloromethane (40 ml) was stirred at RT for 90 minutes, then 3-aminodihydro-2(3H)furanone (0.0058 mole) was added. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed twice with an aqueous solution of NaCl. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was filtered over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 50/50). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from EtOAc. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off, washed and dried at 50° C. under vacuum for two days, yielding 1.43 g (62%) of compound 73 having a molecular weight of 600.5 and represented by the formula

EXAMPLES B74 AND B75

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.0156 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0232 mole) in DMF (160 ml) was stirred at RT for 3 hours, and then treated with an excess of hydrogen sulfide for 20 minutes at RT, then with nitrogen overnight. Half of this reaction mixture, containing 0.0078 mole of compound 74 represented by the formula

in 80 ml DMF, was treated with a solution of 4-bromomethyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (0.013 mole) in DMF (20 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour, then poured out into water and extracted twice with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 92.5/7.5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off, washed and dried under vacuum for one hour, yielding 2.68 g (54%) of compound 75 represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B76

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0017 mole) was added to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0014 mole) in DMF (6 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of N,N-dimethylethanolaminesulfonamide (0.0028 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0014 mole) in DMF (3 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 3 hours, then brought to RT, poured out into water, acidified with HCl 3N, filtered and washed with water. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue was taken up in diethyl ether. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether/CH₃CN/DIPE, yielding 0.77 g (65%) of compound 76 having a molecular weight of 653.5 g, a melting point of 150° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B77

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0013 mole) was added at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0010 mole) in DMF (4 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 45 minutes. A mixture of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinesulfonamide (0.0019 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0010 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added fastly. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 90 minutes, then brought to RT, poured out into water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂, then filtered and dried again and then purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.34 g) was taken up in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.18 g (57%) of compound 77 having a molecular weight of 693.5 g, a melting point of 126° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B78

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0030 mole) was added at RT to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0024 mole) in DMF (12 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (0.0048 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0024 mole) in DMF (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2 hours, poured out on ice/HCl 3N, filtered and washed with water. The precipitate was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether, then filtered off and dried, yielding 0.51 g (31%) of compound 78 having a molecular weight of 583.5 g, a melting point of 180° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B79

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0050 mole) was added to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0040 mole) in DMF (15 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N′-piperazinesulfonamide (0.0104 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0040 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2 hours, then brought to RT, poured out on ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and taken up in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.7 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 96/4; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.3 g (10%) of compound 79 having a molecular weight of 694.5 g, a melting point of 133° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B80

A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.0097 mole) and -bromo- -oxo-benzenepentanoic acid ethyl ester (0.0126 mole) in ethanol (150 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was taken up in methylene chloride. The organic layer was separated, washed with a 10% solution of K₂CO₃ then with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5.7 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 3.2 g (59%) of compound 80 having a molecular weight of 559.5 g, a melting point of 155° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE 81

A mixture of compound 80 (0.0032 mole) and sodium hydroxide (0.0096 mole) in methanol (20 ml) and THF (20 ml) was stirred at RT for 12 hours, poured out on ice, acidified with HCl 1N and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.7 g of a compound of the formula

which, after crystallization from diethyl ether, shows a melting point of 186° C. A mixture of -bromo- -butyrolactone (0.0021 mole) in DMF (5 ml) was added dropwise at RT to a mixture of the compound obtained in the preceding step (0.0021 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0021 mole) in DMF (5 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for five hours, poured out on ice, neutralized slowly with HCl (3N) and extracted with EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, washed several times with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.1 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 1540 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was crystallized from diethylether and CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.25 g (19%) of compound 81 having a molecular weight of 615.5 g, a melting point of 190° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B82

Intermediate (13) (0.0050 mole) was added to DMF (20 ml) under a nitrogen flow. 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0062 mole) was added and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. Then 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol (0.0099 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.005 mole) were added and the resulting mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 12 hours, cooled and then diluted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was separated, washed with HCl 3N then with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98.5/1.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.5 g) was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.03 g (34%) of compound 82 having a molecular weight of 605.5 g, a melting point of 151° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B83

A mixture of N,N-dimethyl-1-piperazinesulfonamide (0.0423 mole) in methanol (100 ml) and methylene chloride (30 ml) was treated with an excess of gaseous ethylene oxide at 5° C. for 90 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated, then co-evaporated with toluene. The residue was stirred overnight in 7N NH₃/CH₃OH and the solvent was evaporated, then co-evaporated with toluene. The residue (10.3 g) was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 92.5/7.5). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, then co-evaporated with toluene, yielding 6.9 g (69%) of a compound 83 represented by the formula

which after crystallization from diethyl ether, shows a melting point of 186° C.

EXAMPLE B84

Intermediate (13) (0.0036 mole) was added to DMF (15 ml) under a nitrogen flow. 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0045 mole) was added and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. Then a solution of compound 83 (0.0072 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0036 mol) was added over two minutes and the resulting mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 5 hours, brought to RT, poured out into water, filtered and taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97/3; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.3 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN and diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.0 g of compound 84 having a molecular weight of 722.7 g, a melting point of 220° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B85

A mixture of bromoacetonitrile (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added at RT to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, cooled, poured out into ice water, acidified with HCl (3N) and then extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.25/0.75; 15-40 μm). The fractions were collected and, after evaporation of their solvent, purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.25/0.75; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated, yielding 0.26 g (12%) of compound 85 having a molecular weight of 542.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B86

Intermediate (13) (0.0034 mole) was added under a nitrogen flow to DMF (25 ml). 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0043 mole) was added and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. (Hydroxymethyl) phosphonate diethyl ester (0.0068 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0034 mole) were added and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 5 hours, then brought to room temperature, poured out into water and acidified with HCL 3N. The precipitate was filtered off and taken up in methylene chloride. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.0 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.4 g) was taken up in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.3 g of compound 86 having a molecular weight of 653.5 g, a melting point of 88° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B87

A mixture of bromo-3 propylene-1 (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added at RT to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0040 mole) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.5/0.5; 35-70 μm). The fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated. The residue (0.8 g) was crystallized from acetonitrile. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.31 g (15%) of compound 87 having a molecular weight of 543.5 g, a melting point of 172° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B88

A mixture of bromoacetylene (0.0040 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added at RT to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0040 mol) and NaHCO₃ (0.0040 mole) in DMF (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂; column: 70-200 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₃CN/NH₄Oac 68/32; column Kromasil C18 10 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.6 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.41 g of compound 88 having a molecular weight of 541.5 g, a melting point of 180° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B89

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0048 mole) was added to a mixture of intermediate (13) (0.00397 mole) in methylene chloride (36 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, then HCl 1N was added. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.95 g) was purified by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 35-70 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.16 g (53%) of a compound 89 having a molecular weight of 546.4 g, a melting point of 112° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B90

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.02 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.03 mole) in methylene chloride (250 ml) was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-Dioxane-4,6-dione (0.03 mole) was added and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. A solid was formed. Water and a saturated aqueous NaCl solution were added. The product was extracted with CH₂Cl₂/THF (70/30). The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 12.9 g of a product, part of which (2.2 g) was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 95/5). The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off and dried, yielding 0.7 g of a compound 90 having a molecular weight of 679.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B91

A mixture of compound 90 (0.013 mole) in acetic acid (50 ml) and water (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed (oil bath) for 2 hours with evolution of CO₂. The mixture was poured out into iced water, then extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97/3). The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN (10 ml), filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried, yielding 3.4 g of a compound 91 having a molecular weight of 515.4 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B92

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.002 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred. 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0025 mole) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-Dioxolane-4-methanol (0.004 mole) then 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10-octahydro-Pyrimido[1,2-a]azepine (0.002 mole) were added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for two hours, poured out on ice, acidified with HCl 3N and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed several times with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.2 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97/3; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether/DIPE, then the precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.66 g (54%) of a compound 92 having a molecular weight of 617.5 g, a melting point of 163° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B93

1-(chloromethoxy)-2-methoxy-Ethane (0.0116 mole) was added dropwise to a solution of intermediate (10) (0.0078 mole) and 1H-imidazole (0.0116 mole) in DMF (80 ml), stirred at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature, then poured out into water and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 2.4 g of a fraction which was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (Merck Art. 11695; eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN from 85/15 to 80/20). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, then the product was crystallized from EtOAc/hexane 1/1 (20 ml), filtered off and dried, yielding 0.11 g of a compound 93 having a molecular weight of 605.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B94

1-(chloromethoxy)-2-methoxy-Ethane (0.0116 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was added dropwise to compound B74 (0.00783 mole). The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature, then poured out into water and this mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure, yielding 4.7 g of a fraction which was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 95/5, then LiChroprep; eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc/CH₃CN 100/0/0, 0/100/0, 0/0/100), then crystallized from EtOAc/hexane 1/1 (30 ml), filtered off and dried, yield 0.47 g of a compound 94 having a molecular weight of 621.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B95

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.0078 mole) and sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0086 mole) in DMF (80 ml) was stirred for two hours at room temperature. Sodium iodide (0.0086 mole) was added and a solution of 1-chloro-2-methylpropyl 1-methylethyl ester Carbonic acid (0.0086 mole) in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at 50° C., then allowed to cool to room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured out into iced water and this mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over RP BDS Spherical (200 g Hyperprep C18 (100 Å, 8 μm; eluent: [(0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃CN 90/10)]//CH₃CN (0 minute) 60/40, (24 minutes) 40/60, (up to 32 minutes) 0/100). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dried under vacuum at 50° C., yielding 0.25 g of a compound 95 having a molecular weight of 675.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLES B96 AND B97

A solution of the intermediate (8) (0.02 mole) and β-bromo-α methyl-γ-oxo-Benzenebutanoic acid (0.02 mol) in ethanol (20 ml) and DMF (20 ml) was stirred for four days at 70° C., then cooled and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc from 95/5 to 80/200). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.2 g of a fraction A and 8.0 g of a fraction B. The latter was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over RP BDS Spherical (200 g Hyperprep C18 (100 Å, 8 μm; eluent: [(0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃CN 90/10)]/CH₃CN (0 minutes) 70/30, (24 minutes) 30/70, (up to 32 minutes) 0/100). The pure fractions were collected, the solvent was evaporated and the resulting product was recrystallized from EtOAc, filtered off and dried, yielding 0.97 g of a compound 96 having a molecular weight of 559.5 g and being represented by the formula

Fraction A was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over RP BDS Spherical (200 g Hyperprep C18 (100 Å, 8 μm; eluent: [(0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃CN 90/10)]/CH₃CN (0 min) 65/35,(24 minutes) 65/35, (up to 32 minutes) 0/100). The pure fractions were collected, the solvent was evaporated and the resulting product was recrystallized from EtOAc/hexane 1/1 (20 ml), filtered off and dried, yielding 0.33 g of a compound 97 having a molecular weight of 531.4 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B98

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.012 mole) was added at room temperature to a mixture of compound 97 (0.0088 mole) in DMF (70 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. Ethanol (20 ml) was added at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for two hours, then the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOH 99.5/0.5 to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.3 g) was stirred in EtOAc/hexane 30/70. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 2.26 g (46%) of compound 96.

EXAMPLE B99

A solution of A (0.014 mole) in methylene chloride (8 ml) was added dropwise at 5° C. to a solution of methoxyethanol (0.0168 mole) and pyridine (0.0182 mole) in methylene chloride (8 ml) under a nitrogen flow. The mixture was stirred at 10° C. for two hours, then water and methylene chloride were added and the mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.3 g (89%) of a compound 98 having a molecular weight of 182.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B100

A solution of intermediate (13) (0.0073 mole), compound 98 (0.0109 mole), sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0073 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0073 mole) in DMF (25 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 24 hours, then brought to room temperature, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and taken up in methylene chloride. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (4.6 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.4 g (31%) of a compound 99 having a molecular weight of 649.5 g, a melting point of 88° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B101

Sodium hydroxide 1M (0.175 ml) was added to compound 3 (0.00008716 mole) in THF (2 ml) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The resulting product was purified by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The aqueous concentrate was desalted on column and eluted with CH₃CN, then the product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated at room temperature, yielding 0.011 g (21%) of a compound 100 having a molecular weight of 649.4 g, and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B102

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0116 mole) was added at room temperature to a stirring mixture of intermediate (10) (0.00773 mole) in methylene chloride (75 ml) under a nitrogen flow. The mixture was stirred for two hours. A solution of N-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-, methyl ester L-Serine. (0.0116 mole) in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight and then washed three times with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (8.6 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/THF 98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5.4 g) was purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/THF 98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in EtOAc/DIPE 1/1 (35 ml) overnight. The precipitate was stirred in EtOAc/DIPE 1/1, filtered off, washed with EtOAc/DIPE 1/1 and DIPE, and dried in vacuo at 50° C. The residue was recrystallized from CH₃CN and DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with CH₃CN and DIPE, and dried in vacuo at 50° C., yielding 1.72 g (31%) of a compound 101 having a molecular weight of 718.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B103

3-bromodihydro-2(3H)-furanone (0.0076 mole) was added dropwise at room temperature to a mixture of compound 96 (0.0038 mole) and 3-bromodihydro2(3H)-Furanone (0.008 mole) in CH₃CN (80 ml). The mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight, then poured out into water and separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue (2.7 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 99.5/0.5 to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.6 g of a fraction which was purified again by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 99.5/0.5 to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 0.1 g (4.3%) of a compound 102 having a molecular weight of 615.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B104

A solution of chloro(methylthio)-Methane (0.007 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was added dropwise to compound 74 (0.0043 mole) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, then poured out into water and extracted with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc from 99.5/0.5 to 95/5). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.03 g of a compound 103 having a molecular weight of 593.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B105

Chloro-3-benzoic acid (0.0042 mole) was added at room temperature to a mixture of compound 103 (0.0042 mole) in methylene chloride (120 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 99.5/0.5 to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in EtOAc/hexane 50/50 (20 ml). The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.85 g (72%) of a compound 104 having a molecular weight of 609.6 g, a melting point of 154° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B106

A mixture of intermediate 8 (6.75 g) in ethanol (80 ml) and DMF (20 ml) was stirred and cooled on an ice-bath at 5° C. (2-bromo-1-phenyl-1,3-Butanedione (5.4 g) in ethanol (20 ml) was added dropwise over 30 minutes at 5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 5C, then for 18 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by high performance liquid chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/THF 97/1/2), yielding 5 g of a first product fraction, the solvent of which was evaporated. This product fraction was stirred in DIPE, filtered off and dried, yielding 1.25 g of a compound 105 having a molecular weight of 501.4 g, a melting point of 212° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B107

A mixture of bromine (0.0097 mole) in methylene chloride (8 ml) was added dropwise at a temperature between 10° C. and 20° C. to a solution of 2-(2-methyl 1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-1-phenyl-Ethanone, (0.0097 mole) in methylene chloride (50 ml) under a nitrogen flow. The resulting mixture was stirred at 5° C. for 30 minutes. A satured NaHCO₃ solution was added. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.7 g of a compound 106 having a molecular weight of 285.1 g and being represented by the formula

This product was used without further purification in the next example.

EXAMPLE B108

A mixture of intermediate 8 (0.0073 mole) and compound 106 (0.0095 mole) in ethanol (30 ml) and DMF (5 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The mixture was taken up in AcOEt and washed three times with H₂O/NaCl. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). Two fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The first fraction (0.4 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether, the precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.29 g of compound 105. The second fraction (0.44 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether, the precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.19 g of a compound 107 having a molecular weight of 501.4 g, a melting point of 174° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B109

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.00496 mole), iodomethyl butyrate (0.00992 mol) and sodium hydrocarbonate (0.00496 mole) in DMF (15 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 48 hours, poured out on ice and acidified with HCl 3N until pH 4-5 was obtained. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, taken up in methylene chloride and washed again with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.5/0.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.25 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.2 g (6.6%) of a compound 108 having a molecular weight of 603.5 g, a melting point of 146° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B110

A mixture of 1-chloroethyl ester Carbonochloridic acid (0.014 mole) in methylene chloride (8 ml) was added at 5° C. to a solution of 2-(methylsulfonyl)-Ethanol (0.017 mole) and pyridine (0.018 mole) in methylene chloride (8 ml) under a nitrogen flow. The resulting mixture was stirred at 10° C. for two hours and H₂O/CH₂Cl₂ was added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.22 g (68%) of a compound 109 having a molecular weight of 230.7 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B111

A solution of intermediate (13) (0.0054 mole), compound 109 (0.0082 mole), sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0054 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0054 mole) in DMF (20 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 24 hours, brought to room temperature, poured out into ice water, acidified with HCl 3N and filtered. The precipitate was washed with water and taken up in methylene chloride. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.6 g (16%) of a compound 110 having a molecular weight of 697.6 g, a melting point of 104° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B112

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.003 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0039 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour, then brought to room temperature. 4-(hydroxymethyl) 1,3-Dioxolane-2-thione (0.006 mole) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 60 hours, poured out into water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed again twice with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.08 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether, the precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.35 g of a compound 111 having a molecular weight of 619.5 g, a melting point of 130° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B113

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.0039 mole) and diethyl-, 1-chloroethyl ester Carbamic acid (0.0039 mole) in CH₃CN (40 ml) was stirred at 60° C. Triethylamine (0.0039 mole) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.7/0.3). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue was stirred in hexane, the precipitate was filtered off, washed and driedunder vacuum at 50° C., yielding 0.4 g of a compound 112 having a molecular weight of 660.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B114

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0084 mole) was added to a solution of intermediate (10) (0.0056 mole) in DMF (30 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature. C (0.0112 mol) was added. Then (0.0056 mol) was added at room temperature and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured out into water and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 99.5/0.5 up to 96/4). The product fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dried under vacuum, yielding 0.95 g of a fraction which was dried undervacuum at 70° C. for two days, yielding 0.78 g (21%) of a compound 113 having a molecular weight of 649.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B115

A mixture of published as EP98203148.6 (0.0085 mole) in THF (70 ml) was added dropwise at 0° C. to a suspension of lithium aluminum hydride (0.0085 mole) in THF (10 ml) under a nitrogen flow. The mixture was stirred at a temperature between 5° C. and 15° C. for three hours. Water and EtOAc were added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (8.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-35 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.44 g of a compound 114 having a molecular weight of 489.4 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B116

Thionyl chloride (0.0049 mole) was added at room temperature to a mixture of compound 114 (0.0033 mole) in methylene chloride (120 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours and washed with NaHCO3 (saturated). The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.7 g (100%) of a compound 115 having a molecular weight of 507.8 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B117

A mixture of compound 115 (0.0033 mole), dihydro-3-mercapto-2(3H)-Furanone (0.0065 mole) and potassium carbonate (0.0065 mole) in CH₃CN (70 ml) and DMF (5 ml) was stirred at 90° C. for two hours, brought to room temperature, evaporated, taken up in water, acidified with HCl 3N, extracted with EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). One fraction was collected and, after evaporation of the solvent, taken up in DIPE and filtered, yielding 0.43 g of a compound 116 having a molecular weight of 589.5 g, a melting point of 100° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B118

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.941 g) was added to a suspension of intermediate (10) (0.00387 mole) in methylene chloride (40 ml) and stirred at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature. Methyl-2-amino-2-propanol (0.0058 mole) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was washed with water. The layers were separated. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 99/1 to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, resulting in a fraction which was stirred in EtOAc. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.5 g (22%) of a compound 117 having a molecular weight of 588.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B119

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.003 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.045 mole) in DMF (15 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. 1,4-cyclohexanediol (0.015 mole) was added then a solution of 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.003 mole) in DMF (3 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for two hours, poured out into water, acidified with HCl 3N, extracted with EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 96/4; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.86 g (47%) of a compound 118 having a molecular weight of 601.5 g and being represented by the formula

Further analysis shows that it consists of a mixture of 35% of an isomer with a melting point of 141° C. and 65% of another isomer with a melting point of 128° C.

EXAMPLE B120

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0018 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0023 mole) in DMF (8 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of 1,4-di(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane (0.0089 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0018 mole) in DMF (3 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 60° C. for two hours, brought to room temperature and water was added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N, filtered and the precipitate was washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated, yielding a fraction which was crystallized from diethyl ether/CH3CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.282 g of a compound 119 having a molecular weight of 629.6 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B121

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0028 mole), tetrahydro-3-iodo-2H-Pyran-2-one (0.0056 mole) and sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0028 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for two hours, brought to room temperature, poured out into water and acidified. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.44 g of a compound 120 having a molecular weight of 601.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B122

Compound 120 (0.0028 mole) was chromatographied over 300 g of silica (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1). One fraction was collected and, after evaporating the solvent, was purified by column chromatography over Kromasil (eluent: CH₃CN/AcNH₄ 65/35). One fraction was collected and, after evaporating the solvent, was taken up in pentane and filtered, yielding 0.061 g of a compound 121 having a molecular weight of 633.5 g, a melting point of 100° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B123

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0116 mole) was added at room temperature under a nitrogen flow to a stirring mixture of intermediate (10) (0.00773 mole) in methylene chloride (75 ml). The mixture was stirred for three hours. A solution of (2-hydroxyethyl)(phenylmethyl-)1,1-dimethylethyl ester Carbamic acid, (0.0116 mole) in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight and then washed three times with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/THF 98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added, then the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified again by high performance liquid chromatography over Hyperprep (eluent: (0.5% ammonium acetate aqueous solution/CH₃CN 90/10)/CH₃CN 40/60 and 3/97; column: C18 HS BDS 100 Å 8 μm). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc, filtered over a paper-frit and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was stirred in hexane overnight. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with hexane and dried in vacuo at 50° C., yielding 3.2 g of a compound 122 having a molecular weight of 633.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B124

Trifluoroacetic acid (3 ml) was added to a solution of compound 101 (0.00122 mole) in methylene chloride (10 ml) and stirred at room temperature under a nitrogen flow for three hours. The solvent was evaporated, then toluene was added and the solvent was again evaporated. The residue was stirred in methylene chloride (15 ml). The mixture was treated with gaseous hydrogen chloride for 15 minutes. Some toluene was added, then all solvent was evaporated again. The resultant oil was stirred in 2-propanone, decanted, then after standing for two days under a nitrogen atmosphere, the mixture was stirred overnight in DIPE, filtered off, washed and dried under vacuum at 50° C., yielding 0.34 g of a compound 123 having a molecular weight of 655.0 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B125

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0024 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0031 mole) in DMF (8 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A mixture of dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-Furanone (0.0048 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0024 mole) in DMF (1 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for two hours, brought to room temperature, poured out into HCl 1N and filtered. The precipitate was washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether/CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.78 g (53%) of the (R) isomer (having an optical rotation, measured in DMF, of +16.23°) of a compound 124 having a molecular weight of 615.5 g, a melting point of 248° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B126

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0029 mole), chloromethyl cyclohexane carboxylate (0.0058 mole), sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0029 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0029 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 12 hours, brought to room temperature and HCl 1N was added. The mixture was filtered, the insoluble was taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). One fraction was collected and, after evaporating the solvent, was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.5 g of a compound 125 having a molecular weight of 643.5 g, a melting point of 130° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B127

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.00278 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0036 mole) in DMF (9 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of (−)-(D) dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)Furanone (0.00556 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.00278 mole) in DMF (1 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for two hours, then brought to room temperature. HCl 1N was added. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed again with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 35-70 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether/CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.15 g (68%) of the (S) isomer (having an optical rotation, measured in DMF, of −11.84°) of a compound 126 having a molecular weight of 615.5 g, a melting point of 244° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B128

Compound 97 (0.027 mole) was separated by chiral column chromatography over Chiralpak AD (500 g) (eluent: hexane/ethanol +1% trifluoroacetic acid 70/30). Two fractions were collected and, after evaporating the solvent, gave two 0.7 g oils which were treated with a saturated aqueous sodium hydrocarbonate solution. This mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. and co-evaporated with EtOAc. The residue was stirred in DIPE, washed with DIPE, and dried overnight under vacuum at 50° C., yielding 0.5 g of a first enantiomer (having an optical rotation, measured in methanol, of −63.95°) and 0.5 g of a second enantiomer (having an optical rotation, measured in methanol, of +61.36°).

EXAMPLE B129

A mixture of 2-methyl-, 1,1-dioxide1,2,5-Thiadiazolidin (0.014 mole), bromo-2-ethanol (0.028 mole) and potassium carbonate (0.0167 mole) in CH₃CN (15 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 60 hours and bromo-2-ethanol (0.014 mole) was further added. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 12 hours and bromo-2-ethanol (0.014 mole) was further added. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 12 hours, brought to room temperature and filtered. The precipitate was washed with methylene chloride and the mixture was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH; 98/2 35-70 μm). One fraction was collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.91 g of a compound 127 having a molecular weight of 180.2 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B130

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0024 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0031 mole) in DMF (6 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of compound 127 (0.0029 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0024 mole) in DMF (1 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for four hours, brought to room temperature and ice water was added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N and filtered. The precipitate was washed with water, taken up in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). One fraction was collected and, after evaporation of the solvent, was taken up in diethyl ether and filtered, yielding 0.43 g (26%) of a compound 128 having a molecular weight of 665.6 g, a melting point of 112° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B131

A solution of compound 105 (0.0030 mole) in THF (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature. A solution of B (0.0028 mol) in THF (10 ml) was added slowly and dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for two and a half hours at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with THF and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.7 g of a compound 129 having a molecular weight of 580.3 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B132

A mixture of compound 129 (0.003 mole), dihydro-3-mercapto-2(3H)-Furanone (0.006 mole) and potassium carbonate (0.006 mole) in CH₃CN (20 ml) and DMF (3 ml) was stirred for 90 minutes at 90° C. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature. The reaction was quenched with water (25 ml) and extracted twice with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.8/0.2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by high performance liquid chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH from 100/0 to 50/50). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in DIPE, filtered off, washed and dried under vacuum at 50° C., yielding 0.35 g of a compound 130 having a molecular weight of 617.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B133

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.004 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0052 mole) in DMF (13 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-,(3R,4R)-2(3H)-furanone (0.008 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.004 mole) in DMF (2 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for five hours then at room temperature overnight and HCl 0.5N was added. The mixture was filtered and the precipitate was washed with water, taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97/3; 15-40 μm). Two fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The first fraction (0.25 g) was taken up in DIPE and filtered, yielding 0.2 g of a compound 131 having a molecular weight of 603.4 g, a melting point of 144° C., an optical rotation (measured in methanol) of −44.95° and being represented by the formula

The second fraction consists of 0.3 g of a compound 132 having a molecular weight of 635.5 g, a melting point of 110° C., an optical rotation (measured in methanol) of −14.8° and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B134

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0027 mole) was added to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0021 mole) in DMF (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour and 1-(hydromethyl)-,γ-lactone Cyclohexaneglycolic acid (0.0032 mole) then 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0021 mole) were added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 12 hours, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered and washed with water. The mixture was dried, taken up in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:CH2Cl2/CH3OH 99/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, giving 0.6 g of a fraction which was crystallized from CH₃CN/diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.31 g (22%) of a compound 133 having a molecular weight of 655.6 g and being represented by the formula.

EXAMPLE B135

Hexadecanoic acid chloride (0.002 mole) was added slowly at 0° C. to a solution of compound 65 (0.002 mole) and triethylamine (0.003 mole) in methylene chloride (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for five hours and poured out into water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.5/0.5;15-40 μm). Two fractions were collected and after evaporation of the solvent, were crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.27 g (17%) of a compound 134 having a molecular weight of 799.9 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B136

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.006 mole) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0077 mole) in DMF (25 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. A solution of dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-Furanone (0.012 mole) and 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.006 mole) in DMF (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for three hours, then brought to room temperature, poured out into HCl 1N, filtered, taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (8.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1;15-35 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether/CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 2.3 g of a compound 135 having a molecular weight of 615.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B137

Sodium hydroxide 1M (0.000328 mole) was added to compound 135 (0.000164 mole) in THF (4 ml) and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The resulting product was purified by high performance liquid chromatography over Hyperprep RP-C18 BDS (eluent: 0.5% ammonium acetate aqueous solution/CH₃CN 90/10/CH₃CN 90/10). The product fractions were collected and the organic solvent was evaporated. The aqueous concentrate was desalted on column and eluted with CH₃CN. The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated at room temperature, yielding 0.045 g (41%) of a compound 136 having a molecular weight of 677.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B138

Bromine (two drops) was added at room temperature to a solution of α,α-dimethyl-γ-oxo-Benzenebutanoic acid (0.01 mole) in methylene chloride (10 ml) and acetic acid (2 ml). A hydrogen bromide/acetic acid mixture (1 drop) was added. Bromine (0.0105 mole) was further added at room temperature to the mixture, which was stirred at room temperature for one hour. Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture for one hour. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was co-evaporated with toluene, yielding 2.7 g (95%) of a compound 137 having a molecular weight of 285.1 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B139

A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.05 mole) and compound 137 (0.05 mole) in ethanol (150 ml) and DMF (50 ml) was stirred for 72 hours at 70° C., yielding a fraction which was poured out into water and then separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layer was washed with water, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, giving a product which was crystallized again from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 8.73 g of a compound 138 having a molecular weight of 545.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B140

1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.0042 mole) was added to a solution of intermediate (13) (0.0034 mole) in DMF (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for one hour. 1,3-dihydroxy cyclohexane (0.02 mole) then 1,8-diazabicyclo (5.4.0) undecene-7 (0.0034 mole) were added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for six hours, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, dried, taken up in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2;15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.14 g (2.5%) of the cis-isomer of a compound 139 having a molecular weight of 1086.9 g and a melting point of 180° C. and being represented by the formula

and 1.4 g of a fraction which was then crystallized from 2-propanone/diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1 g (49%) of a compound 140 having a molecular weight of 601.5 g and a melting point of 175° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B141

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.0037 mole), α-cyclopentyl-, 1-chloroethyl ester Benzeneacetic acid (0.00733 mole), sodium hydrocarbonate (0.0037 mole) and potassium iodide (0.0037 mole) in DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 2 days, brought to room temperature. HCl 1N was added. The precipitate was taken up in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH; 99/1;15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over Kromacil C-18 (eluent: 5% ammonium acetate aqueous solution/CH₃CN 20/80). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.69 g (25%) of a compound 141 having a molecular weight of 733.7 g and a melting point of 110° C. and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B142

A mixture of N,N,N-trimethyl-(tribromide) Benzenaminium (0.005 mole) in THF (25 ml) was stirred at room temperature. Phenyl trimethylammonium bromide (0.005 mole) was added portionwise at room temperature for one hour. Water was added, then the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.55 g (100%) of a compound 142 having a molecular weight of 313.1 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B143

A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.0045 mole) and compound 142 (0.005 mole) in ethanol (20 ml) and DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for two hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99.7/0.3). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, giving a fraction which was stirred in ethanol (10 ml). The resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried, yielding 0.4 g of a compound 143 having a molecular weight of 573.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B144

A mixture of compound 143 (0.0094 mole) in methanol (50 ml) was stirred at room temperature. Sodium borohydride (0.01 mole) was added portionwise over 30 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 90 minutes. More sodium borohydride (0.014 mole) was added portionwise over 30 minutes and the resulting mixture was further stirred for 90 minutes. The resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with methanol and DIPE and dried, yielding 4.5 g of a compound 144 having a molecular weight of 575.5 g and being represented by the formula

EXAMPLE B145

a) A solution of β-oxo-3-hydroxypropyl benzenepropanoic acid ester (0.097 mol; 26.0 g with 83% purity) in chloroform (250 ml) was stirred vigorously at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. N-bromosuccinimide (0.1 mol) was added portionwise over 2 hours. The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature. More N-bromosuccinimide (2.5 g) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. An aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (16.8 g NaHCO₃ in 200 ml of water) was added and stirring was continued for 5 minutes. The layers were separated. The organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated, then co-evaporated with toluene, yielding 35.9 g of

(intermediate 28)

b) A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.00457 mol), intermediate (28) (0.00503 mol) and DMF (0.00457 mol) in 1,3-propanediol (10 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 6 hours, then cooled and poured out into ice water. The precipitate was filtered, washed with HCl diluted/H₂O and dried. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed with H₂O, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 97.5/2.5; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.55 g of 3-hydroxypropyl 2-[1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl)phenyl]-1-methylethyl]-4-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxylate (compound 145).

EXAMPLE B146

a) A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.0119 mol), (±)-1,1-dimethylethyl α-bromo-beta-oxo-benzenepropanoate (0.0137 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.0357 mol) in acetonitrile (55 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 3.5 hours. Ice and ethyl acetate were added. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The product was used without further purification, yielding 8 g of

(intermediate 29).

b) Intermediate (29) (0.0119 mol) and tert-butanol (24 g) were stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The mixture was brought to room temperature. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane. The organic solution was washed with water, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.45 g of,

(intermediate 30, mp. 130° C.).

c) A mixture of intermediate (30) (0.0518 mol) in trifluoroacetic acid (200 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and poured out on ice. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and dried. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/acetic acid; 97/3/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from acetonitrile. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 27.1 g of

(intermediate 31, mp. >250° C.).

d) A solution of 1-chlorosulfonylpyrrolidine (0.0088 mol) in dichloromethane (5 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl 1-piperazinecarboxylate (0.0088 mol) and triethylamine (0.0177 mol) in dichloromethane (15 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours and HCl 0.5N was added. The mixture was separated and extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer were brought together, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.8 g of

(intermediate 32).

e) A mixture of intermediate (32) (0.088 mol) and a mixture of HCl (5N) in isopropanol (0.0263 mol) in isopropanol (30 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 5 hours, evaporated, taken up in DIPE, filtered and dried, yielding 2 g of

(intermediate 33).

f) A mixture of intermediate (33) (0.0078 mol), 1-bromo-2-ethanol (0.0313 mol) and Na₂CO₃ (0.047 mol) in ethanol (45 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 18 hours, brought to room temperature and water was added. The mixture was extracted twice with dichloromethane. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2 g of

(intermediate 34).

g) Intermediate (31) (0.003 mol) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (CDI) (0.0037 mol) were stirred at 40° C. for 1 hour and a solution of intermediate (34) (0.0051 mol) and 1,8-diaza-7-bicyclo[5.4.0]undecene (DBU) (0.003 mol) in DMF (15 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 6 hours, brought to room temperature, poured out into ice water, acidified with HCl 3N and filtered. The precipitate was washed with water, taken up in dichloromethane and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and dried. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2), yielding 0.775 g of,

(compound 146, mp. 196° C.).

EXAMPLE B147

a) Bromine (2 drops) was added at room temperature to a solution of 3-benzoyl-2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid (0.01 mol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) and acetic acid (2 ml). A mixture of HBr in acetic acid (1 drop) was added. Bromine (0.0105 mol) was added further at room temperature to the mixture. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Nitrogen gas was bubbled through the mixture for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was co-evaporated with toluene, yielding 2.7 g of

(intermediate 35).

b) A mixture of intermediate (8) (0.05 mol) and intermediate (35) (0.05 mol) in ethanol (150 ml) and DMF (50 ml) was stirred for 72 hours at 70° C. The reaction product was poured out into water and then separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was washed with water, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from acetonitrile. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding

(intermediate 36).

c) A mixture of intermediate (36) (0.00275 mol) and 1,1′-carbonylbis-1H-imidazole (0.00416 mol) in dichloromethane (30 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Butyric acid (0.00416 mol) was added at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/THF 100/0 to 80/20). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in ethyl acetate/hexane 30/70). The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.8 g of

(intermediate 37).

d) Intermediate (37) (0.00173 mol) and dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-furanone (0.04 mol) were stirred at 100° C. for 2.5 hours. The mixture was poured out into water and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/THF 100/0 to 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in ethyl acetate/hexane (1/1). The precipitate was filtered off and dried at 50° C. overnight, yielding 0.38 g of

(compound 147). 

1. A compound having the formula:

the N-oxide, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt and the stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein: p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may represent cyano; Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; each R¹ independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—Z·R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; R² represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of: C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cyoloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or Het¹thiocarbonyl; R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, piperidinylsulfonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl, aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinylaminosulfonyl, N—C₁₋₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl, Y—R¹⁴, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, Het⁶sulfonyl or C₃₋₇ cycloalkylsulfonyl; each R⁷ and each R⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-thiocarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryithiocarbonyl, Het³thiocarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁷ and R⁸ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, Het³thiocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹¹ independently being selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸, C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkylthio optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³, Het⁴, C(═O)Het³, C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl optionally be substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, halo and phenyl; R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercapto-C₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁶; or R¹² and R¹³ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹⁴ independently represents hydrogen; C₁₋₂₀acyl or C₁₋₂₀alkylC₁₋₂₀acyl (having a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, mercaptoC₁₋₄alkyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, aryl, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano and Het⁵; C₁₋₂₀alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, halo, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, mercaptoC₁₋₄alkyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, aryl, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano, Het⁵, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄ alkyloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄alkylthio, Het⁵C₁₋₄alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₄alkylthio, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl and Het⁵C₁₋₄alkylthio; C₃₋₂₀alkenyl optionally substituted with phenyl; C₃₋₂₀alkynyl; C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, halo, mercaptoC₁₋₄alkyl and hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl; Het⁵ or phenyl or R¹⁴ represents a radical having any of the following formulae:

 wherein m is 1 to 4, n is 0 to 5, q is 0 to 2, r is 0 to 2 and s is 0 to 4; R^(b) is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl and C₁₋₄ alkyl-Y—C₁₋₄alkyl; R^(a), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl and C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, or R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; R_(g), R_(h) and R_(k) are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R_(l) is selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl and C₁₋₄alkyl, or two R_(l) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— (thus building a spiro radical); R_(j) is selected from the group consisting of: —O—R_(b); C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; phenyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; R_(m) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyloxy; R_(n) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenylC₁₋₄alkyl; and W represents O or S; each Z independently represents O, S, NH, —CH₂O— or —CH₂S— whereby —CH₂— is attached to the carbonyl group; or —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, aryl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) amino and pyridinyl; C₁₋₄alkyloxy; aryl; —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴; arylcarbonyl; arylthiocarbonyl; arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl; aminocarbonylmethylene; mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) aminocarbonylmethylene; Het³aminocarbonyl; Het³aminothio-carbonyl pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl; Het³ and R⁶; or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from hydroxy, mercapto, aryl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) amino, C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and pyridinyl; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl; aryl; C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl; arylcarbonyl; arylthiocarbonyl; arylaminocarbonyl; arylaminothiocarbonyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; C₁₋₄alkane-diyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl; —C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl; —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl and R⁶; aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: nitro, azido, cyano, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, formyl, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶, —O—R⁶, phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: halo, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or NR⁹R¹⁰; Het¹ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from the group consist of: Het², R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or, where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het²or R¹¹; Het² represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms, or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from the group consist of: Het⁴, R¹¹ and C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or, where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het⁴ or R¹¹; Het³ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms, wherein said monocyclic heterocycle may optionally be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from the group consist of: hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from the group consist of: hydroxy, carbonyl C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and NR¹²R¹³; Het⁴ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms Het⁵ represents a three-membered, four-membered, five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms, or a fused polycyclic ring system including such heterocycle; wherein said heterocycle each independently may be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, carbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶, sulfonamido and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, mercapto, C₁₋₄alkylthio, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶ and NR¹⁷R¹⁸; Het⁶ represents a three-membered, four-membered five-membered or six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic monocyclic heterocycle comprising one or more heteroatoms, wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from Het² and R¹¹; provided however that R² is other than C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or aminocarbonyl; and R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl, C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and R¹² and R¹³ are other than C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcarbonyl; and R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁹, C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C(═O)·O—R¹⁹ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl C(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and in each of the above proviso's R¹⁹ is defined as hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonylmethylene; and the compound of formula (I) contains at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 having the formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein: p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may represent cyano; Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; each R¹ independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)·—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; R² represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of: C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or Het¹thiocarbonyl; R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl, aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinylaminosulfonyl, N—C₁₋₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl; each R⁷ and each R⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; each R¹¹ independently being selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸, C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³, Het⁴ and C(═O)Het³; R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁶; each R¹⁴ independently represents C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, di-C₁₋₄alkylamino, cyano, Het¹ and C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, hydrogen, C₁₋₂₀acyl (having a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms), C₁₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₂₀alkyl or a radical of formula

 wherein n is 0 to 5 and m is 1 to 4; R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; R_(g) and R_(h) are each independently C₁₋₄alkyl; each Z independently represents O, S, NH, —CH₂O— or —CH₂—S— whereby —CH₂— is attached to the carbonyl group; —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, Het³, Het⁴ or R⁶; aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonylmethylene; aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: nitro, azido, cyano, halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶, —O—R⁶, phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or NR⁹R¹⁰; Het¹ represents heterocycle selected from the group consisting of: pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from Het² or R¹¹; Het² represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl or imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het⁴, R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from Het⁴ or R¹¹; Het³ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or tetrahydropyranyl; wherein said monocyclic heterocycle may optionally be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or tour substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ or NR¹²R¹³; Het⁴ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl; provided however that R² is other than C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl; and R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁴ and —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and R¹² and R¹³ are other than C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcarbonyl; and R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁴, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁴, C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and R¹⁴ is other than hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, aminocarbonylmethylene, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) aminocarbonylmethylene in the event Z is 0; and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and Aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C(═O)·O—R¹⁴ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁴ and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and the compound of formula (I) contains at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 having the formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein: p represents an integer being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X represents O, S, NR⁵ or a direct bond or —X—R² taken together may represent cyano; Y represents O, S, NR⁵, or S(O)₂; each R¹ independently represents C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl, cyano, nitro, Het³, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—Z·R¹⁴, Het³, R⁶ or NR⁷R⁸; R² represents Het¹, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of: C(═O)·Z—R¹⁴, hydroxy, cyano, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, Het¹, Het¹oxy and Het¹thio; and if X is O, S or NR⁵, then R² may also represent aminothiocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₁₋₄alkylthiocarbonyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, Het¹carbonyl or Het¹thiocarbonyl; R³ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R³ and R⁴ taken together form a C₂₋₆alkanediyl; R⁵ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; each R⁶ independently represents C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, piperidinylsulfonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonyl, mono- or di(benzyl)aminosulfonyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfinyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, piperazinylsulfonyl, aminopiperidinylsulfonyl, piperidinylaminosulfonyl, N—C₁₋₄alkyl-N-piperidinylaminosulfonyl or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl; each R⁷ and each R⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl -C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁶; or R⁷ and R⁸ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, Het³carbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³, Het⁴ and R⁸; or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹¹ independently being selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, mercapto, cyano, nitro, halo, trihalomethyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, formyl, trihaloC₁₋₄alkylsulfonyloxy, R⁶, NR⁷R⁸, C(═O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, aryl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy optionally substituted with C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, phthalimide-2-yl, Het³, Het⁴ and C(═O)Het³; R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ and R⁶; or R¹² and R¹³ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

each R¹⁴ independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₂₀acyl (having a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms), C₁₋₂₀alkyl, C₃₋₂₀alkenyl optionally substituted with phenyl, C₃₋₂₀alkynyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₂₀alkyl, Het⁵, phenyl or C₁₋₂₀alkyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, phenyl, mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, cyano, Het⁵, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, phenyl C₁₋₄ alkyloxycarbonyl and C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, or R¹⁴ represents a radical of formula

 wherein m is 1 to 4, n is 0 to 5, q is 0 to 2, r is 0 to 2 and s is 0 to 4; R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e) and R^(f) are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; or R^(e) and R^(f) taken together may form —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—; R_(g), R_(h) and R_(k) are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R_(i) is C₁₋₄alkyl; R_(j) is —O—R_(b), C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyloxy;  where R_(m) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyloxy and R_(n) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenylC₁₋₄alkyl each Z independently represents O, S, NH, —CH₂—O— or —CH₂—S— whereby —CH₂— is attached to the carbonyl group; or —Z—R¹⁴ taken together form a radical of formula

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, arylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, arylaminocarbonyl, arylaminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylmethylene, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl) aminocarbonylmethylene, Het³aminocarbonyl, Het³aminothiocarbonyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, Het³ or R⁶; or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a radical of formula

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, dihydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, phenyl, phenylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminothiocarbonyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl and R⁶; aryl represents phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: nitro, azido, cyano, halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, formyl, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶, —O—R⁶, phenyl, Het³, C(═O)Het³ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanendiyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, Het³ or NR⁹R¹⁰; Het¹ represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl or imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from Het² or R¹¹; Het² represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl or imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het⁴, R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from Het⁴ or R¹¹; Het³ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or tetrahydropyranyl; wherein said monocyclic heterocycle may optionally be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹²R¹³, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴, R⁶ or NR¹²R¹³; Het⁴ represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl or triazinyl; Het⁵ represents a heterocycle selected from pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, thiolanyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, triazinyl, benzothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxanyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, purinyl, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl or imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl; wherein said heterocycle may be substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, piperidinyl, NR¹⁷NR¹⁸, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶, sulfonamido and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, phenyl, C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl-C(═O)—Z—C₁₋₆alkyl, R⁶ or NR¹⁷R¹⁸; provided however that R² is other than C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or aminocarbonyl; and R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl, C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or —Y—C₁₋₄alkanediylC(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and R¹² and R¹³ are other than C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkylcarbonylcarbonyl; and R¹¹ is other than C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—OR¹⁹, C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl or C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl; and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are other than aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyloxy-C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonylcarbonyl; and aryl is other than phenyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹, C(═O)NH₂, C(═O)NHC₁₋₄alkyl, C(═O)NHC₃₋₇cycloalkyl and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —C(═O)—O—R¹⁴; and Het³ is other than a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C(═O)·O—R¹⁹ and/or with C₁₋₄alkyl subsituted with C(═O)—O—R¹⁹ and/or Y—C₁₋₄alkanediyl —(═O)—O—R¹⁹; and in each of the above proviso's R¹⁹ is defined as hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, aminocarbonylmethylene or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonylmethylene; and the said compound of formula (I) contains at least one —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ moiety.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the 6-azauracil moiety is in the pare position relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R² is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from the group consisting of: pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl, wherein said monocyclic heterocycle may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible, two or three substituents each independently selected from Het², R¹¹ or C₁₋₄alkyl optionally substituted with Het² or R¹¹.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl and —X—R² is Het¹.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein p is 1 or 2 and each R¹ is chloro.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ and R⁴ are both methyl, —X—R² is optionally substituted 2-thiazolyl or 3-oxadiazolyl, the 6-azauracil moiety is in the para position relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents, and p is 2 whereby both R¹ substituents are chloro positioned ortho relative to the carbon atom bearing the —X—R², R³ and R⁴ substituents.
 9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein X—R² is di-substituted with phenyl and either (i) R¹¹ where R¹¹ is a group of formula —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ in which Z is O and R¹⁴ is C₁₋₂₀alkyl substituted with hydroxy or with Het⁵ where Het⁵ is piperazinyl substituted with Het⁶sulfonyl, or R¹⁴ is a radical of formula (a) in which R_(j) is C₁₋₆alkyl and s is 2, or (ii) C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with R¹¹ where R¹¹ is a a group of formula —C(═O)—Z—R¹⁴ in which Z is O and R¹⁴ is a radical of formula (a) in which R_(j) is C₁₋₆alkyl and s is
 2. 10. A compound selected from the group consisting of formulae (A), (B), (C) and (D) below:


11. A composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 12. A method for treating eosinophil-dependent inflammatory diseases comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 13. A process for preparing a compound as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of a) reacting an intermediate of formula (II) wherein W¹ is a suitable leaving group with an appropriate reagent of formula (III) optionally in a reaction-inert solvent and optionally in the presence of a base at a temperature ranging between −70° C. and reflux temperature;

 wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, p and X are as defined in claim 1 or; b) eliminating the group E of a triazinedione of formula (V)

 wherein E is an appropriate electron attracting group and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X and p are as defined in claim 1; and, if desired, converting compounds of formula (I) into each other following art-known transformations, and further, if desired, converting the compounds of formula (I), into a therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salt by treatment with an acid, or into a therapeutically active non-toxic base addition salt by treatment with a base, or conversely, converting the acid addition salt form into the free base by treatment with alkali, or converting the base addition salt into the free acid by treatment with acid; and also, if desired, preparing stereochemically isomeric forms or N-oxide forms thereof. 